Are you on the hunt for a nice Father’s day card? We’ve got your back!
About Father’s Day
The organiser of the first Father’s Day was not a father – or even a man – but an American woman named Grace Golden Clayton.
Where did Father’s Day come from?
In 1907, Clayton was deeply moved by newspaper reports about a mining disaster which had left 1,000 children in the state fatherless. Clayton organised an event at her church to celebrate fatherhood.
Although this event was a one-off, the idea was quickly picked up by another young woman called Sonora Smart Dodd.
Dodd heard a sermon in Church about the increasingly-popular practice of Mother’s Day. Her love for her own father, who had raised his children alone after his wife’s death, pushed her to call for a similar day of gratitude for fathers. Dodd organised a Father’s Day celebration in her hometown of Spokane, Washington, to be held every year on the third Sunday of June.
At first this was a small event, but in the 1930’s Dodd and her supporters began pushing this special day for national recognition.
When was Father’s Day recognised?
Slowly, the celebrations spread across the country until, in 1972, the US President Richard Nixon signed a bill officially making Father’s Day a nationally-observed holiday. By then, Father’s Day was an established tradition in dozens of countries, the UK included.
Fun facts about Father’s Day
- According to a 2018 study from Small Acorn, there are 1.5 billion fathers worldwide. Each year, 122 million children are born worldwide. Wow!
- The necktie is the most popular of all Father’s Day gifts, while hammers and golf clubs are also popular presents.
- There are 7 Million cards sold in the UK.
- Not all countries celebrate Father’s Day in June. In Thailand, the date of Father’s Day is set by the birthday of the King which falls in December.
- It is believed that the word “Dad” dates back as early as the sixteenth century.
An Easy Father’s Day Craft Idea
Let’s make a simple card to make Father’s Day special this year:
1. Trace your child’s hand and cut out two copies
2. Cut out two rectangles and glue these on to the bottom on the hands with a flap on the bottom so that the card stands up.
3. Cut out a strip of paper and fold it accordion style with 10 spaces.
4. Add the words “I Love You” on the outside, and “This Much” on the strip of paper.
5. Glue the ends of your accordion strip on the insides of the hands and your card is done.
We would love to see how you get on! Send us pictures of your masterpieces on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter and don’t forget to use the hashtag #EYRhub.
