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Every year on the third Sunday in June, we hand over cards and gifts to the father figures in our lives. But while Mother’s Day has deep religious roots, Father’s Day is a much newer addition to the calendar—born from a daughter's love, political battles, and international traditions.

Here are the fascinating facts behind the holiday we celebrate today.

1. It Was Inspired by a Civil War Veteran and Single Dad

The modern holiday was created by Sonora Smart Dodd in Washington, USA. Her mother had died during childbirth, leaving her father—a Civil War veteran named William Jackson Smart—to raise six children entirely on his own. Sonora wanted to honour his incredible sacrifice, leading to the first local celebration on 19 June 1910.

2. Early Dads Thought the Holiday Was "Unmanly"

You might think fathers welcomed the idea, but early 20th-century men resisted it. Many associated greeting cards and gifts with Mother's Day and dismissed the concept as "unmanly". Others viewed it as a corporate gimmick designed purely to get people to spend money.

3. World War II Changed Everything

The true turning point came during the Second World War. Advertisers and citizens began using Father’s Day to honour and support troops serving on the front lines. By connecting the day to patriotism and military sacrifice, the holiday completely shed its commercial stigma.

4. It Took Over 60 Years to Become "Official"

Despite its popularity, it took decades to become official. It wasn’t until 1972 that US President Richard Nixon finally signed it into permanent law. The UK officially adopted the third Sunday of June tradition around the same time.

Honour the Craft This Father's Day

Behind every family is a father figure quietly doing his best. This year, skip the cliché supermarket socks and gift him something crafted with genuine care, patience, and premium quality.

Browse our Father’s Day Luxury Gift Collections to show him exactly how much he means to you.