Father's Day

Father's Day is one of those "minor holidays" in the U.S. given that the average father is seen as far less important than the average mom. Let's face it. Society overemphasizes the role of the mom and underemphasizes dad's part in relating to the kids. It is unfair and I often find dad far better parents than mom, but Father's Day does give dad some recognition.
Here's the story how it started. Contrary to some belief, it did not start in order to help greeting card manufacturers sell more cards (There were no greeting cards in existence when Father's Day was started) or because of Mother's Day. Instead, it began in 1909 because a Spokane, Washington woman named Mrs. John Dodd decided to thank her dad, William Smart, for his selfless love after her mom died in childbirth.
It seems that William Smart was a super dad who raised his daughter (Mrs. Dodd) and five other siblings, showing strength and selflessness as a single parent dad. Mrs. Dodd proposed the idea of a Father's Day and the first was observed in 1910 in Spokane. Other cites picked up on the idea in the years that followed and in 1924 President Calvin Coolidge announced his support of the idea. From that point on (it was made an official celebration every 3rd Sunday in June in 1966 by a presidential proclamation from President Lyndon Johnson) the day was widely acknowledged.
So even though dads are often treated as second to moms, discriminated against and given less of a parenting role on this day we are appreciated and that is good.