The Chronicles Of Grant County
Father's Day
(The image was provided courtesy of Prawny through Pixabay.)
"Great was the wisdom at Washington."
You may not read a statement like that in many places today, but the edition of the Albuquerque Morning Journal dated May 23, 1908, included that quote from the New York Herald. The quote referenced a decision by the United States Senate to not proceed with officially sanctioning "Mother's Day."
The concern was that if a day was set aside to honor mothers, other holidays would then be created.
The full quote was as follows:
"Now we perceive why the senators frowned on the 'Mothers' Day' proposition. Once open the gates and what would come? Fathers' day, sons' day, daughters' day, mother-in-law day – that's enough. Great was the wisdom at Washington."
A slightly different take on Father's Day was taken by another quote printed in the Albuquerque Morning Journal. This quote, from The Philadelphia Inquirer, was printed in the Albuquerque newspaper on May 13, 1909: "A correspondent (male and married) writes to complain that in all the fuss made over 'Mother's Day' nothing is said about Father's Day. It isn't necessary. Every day is Father's Day, and there is an awful kick if he occasionally wants a night out."
The efforts to create a formal Mother's Day encouraged some to honor fathers with a day of their own. As with Mother's Day, much of the initial efforts for Father's Day were within the faith community.
On May 19, 1910, The Deming Headlight reported that "next Lord's Day, a Father's Day Service will be held. Everyone is invited to come and wear a red flower."
Not everyone in New Mexico welcomed the concept of a Father's Day. For example, The Albuquerque Morning Journal on June 16, 1910, included a headline of "Father's Day Is Latest Stunt Proposed."
While Mother's Day became an official holiday of the U S in 1914, it was not until 1966 that an American President proclaimed Father's Day, and it was not until 1972 that Father's Day became an official holiday of the U S. It was on April 24, 1972, that a Joint Resolution of the U S Congress authorized "...the President to designate the third Sunday in June of each year as Father's Day."
A proclamation issued on June 20, 2004, included details about the history of Father's Day.
"After listening to a church service on Mother's Day 1909, Sonora Dodd proposed a day to honor fathers," according to this proclamation signed by President George W. Bush. "She was inspired by the courage and sacrifice of her own father, a Civil War veteran, who reared six children by himself after his wife's death. As others began to celebrate it, the idea for Father's Day spread across America. In 1966, President Lyndon Johnson officially proclaimed Father's Day as a national observance."
"Fathers have a duty to love their children with all their hearts and prepare them to be independent, compassionate, and responsible citizens," the proclamation continued. "A father's words and actions are critical in shaping the character of his children. A father's love helps teach them right from wrong, explains to them the consequences of bad decisions, and strengthens them with encouragement."
Celebrating Father's Day has changed through the years.
In its issue dated June 25, 1915, The Deming Headlight listed suggestions for celebrating Father's Day: (Please note that the specific source of these suggestions is unknown.)
"Dad will be allowed to lie abed until 10 o'clock, reading the sporting sheet and smoking [cigarettes], after which time a 'mawnin's mawnin' followed by buckwheats and steak will be served. The phonograph will then play 'What's the Matter With Father' and 'Here Comes My Daddy Now,' while the daughter of the house will recite 'Father, dear Father." The ceremony concluded, presents will be bestowed on father in the following order: Ten boxes of 25-cent cigars, case of club soda, sterling silver bottle opener, case of Scotch or rye, sterling silver cocktail mixer, one dozen pairs of silk hose, one smoking jacket, one humidor, half dozen made-to-order shirts, one pair slippers, annual pass to baseball park. At 2 PM, accompanied by several cronies, he will set out for the ball park in an automobile. Here a double-header will be played. The evening will be given over to 5-cent ante, and at midnight a lunch will be served consisting of Swiss cheese sandwiches, hot dogs, goose liver sausages, pate de foie gras, rye bread and beer. The guests will leave at 3 AM, and the day following will be Sunday."
Whether you celebrate with goose liver sausages, Swiss cheese sandwiches, or some other types of food, Happy Father's Day.
The importance of a father in a family is universal throughout the world. Here a baboon dad with at least one child. (Not sure the family relationship with the third baboon.) (The photograph was provided by Nel Botha through Pixabay, August 29, 2019.)
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