Father's Day began sadly as tribute to slain miners

A mining disaster in West Virginia in 1907 deprived many children of their fathers. The next year, their community held the first Father's Day. But that's just one version of how the holiday began, now celebrated in many parts of the globe in happier circumstances. The news site Daily Beast said the origins of Father’s Day "remain disputed" because while Spokane, Washington "often lays claim to holding the first modern Father’s Day in 1910," the first recorded Father’s Day celebration was in Fairmont, West Virginia. The report said the celebration in WestVirginia "was anything but celebratory. More than a thousand children were left fatherless after the Monongah Mine disaster in 1907 killed more than 350 men. In July 1908, Father’s Day was held to honor the fathers lost in the disaster and, indeed, all Fairmont fathers." The Norway-based information site timeanddate.com said a range of events may have inspired the idea of celebrating Father's Day. Timeanddate.com said a woman in the early 1900s -- Sonora Smart Dodd -- was "an influential figure in the establishment of Father's Day." After their mother died during childbirth, Dodd and her five siblings were raised singlehandedly by their father -- William Jackson Smart -- a farmer and Civil War veteran. She felt that her father deserved recognition for his devotion to his family. Inspired by the work of Anna Jarvis, who had pushed for Mother's Day celebrations, Dodd also called for commemoration of Father's Day. According to the information site Father’s Day Celebration, the holiday was frist celebrated on June 19, 1910, thanks to the efforts of Dodd and the Young Men’s Christian Association in Spokane, Washington, where she resided.

At first, Father’s Day was not as widely celebrated as Mother's Day but it slowly gained popularity and was supported by US presidents Woodrow Wilson, Calvin Coolidge, and  Lyndon Johnson.   It was then permanently made into a national observance day every third Sunday of June in 1972 by president Richard Nixon.   At the World's Fair in Spokane in 1974, four years before she passed away at the age of 96, Dodd was recognized for her contributions. Many Father's Day traditions have evolved since the holiday was established.   United States Date of Father's Day celebration: Third Sunday of June Estimated number of Filipinos: 3,166,529* In the US, Father’s Day is usually marked with reunions of family members who indulge their dad with presents such as chocolates, greeting cards, and neckties.   The Daily Beast said "these days...a new tie or a dinner out are more synonymous with Father’s Day than actually honoring dad." Last year, the news site named the best US places for dads, based on per capita income, number of little leagues in the area, Father's Day treats for dads, among others. The report said the top 10 places for dads were: (1) Irvine, California   (2) Scottsdale, Arizona   (3) Gilbert, Arizona   (4) Orlando, Florida   (5) Tampa, Florida   (6) Chandler, Arizona   (7) Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania   (8) North Las Vegas, Nevada   (9) Glendale, Arizona   (10) Boston, Massachusetts   United Kingdom Date of Father's Day celebration: Third Sunday of June Estimated number of Filipinos: 196,740*      

The US and the UK have similar Father's Day celebrations.   Children also give chocolates and cards to their dads or give them hand made gifts.   Parties are also organized by clubs, schools and cultural societies.     Canada Date of Father's Day celebration: Every Third Sunday of June Estimated number of Filipinos: 667,674*   The tradition of Father’s Day in Canada was also adopted from the US celebrations. Canadians greet the day with much enthusiasm and fanfare, wearing roses in honor of their fathers. A red rose means that the celebrant’s father is alive while a white rose means otherwise.   Families usually dine out with their fathers during the occasion.   Ireland Date of Father's Day celebration: Every Third Sunday of June Estimated number of Filipinos: 13,800*   Irish children usually serve breakfast in bed for their fathers while those whose fathers have passed away perform acts of service for the community.   To stress the importance of the role that a father undertakes, several organizations plan activities to honor Irish dads.   Children are also encouraged to respect their father at all times and pay attention when they are being given advice.   Australia Date of Father's Day celebration: First Sunday of September Estimated number of Filipinos:  345,592*   Unlike the US and most countries in the world, Australia celebrates Father’s Day every first Sunday of September.   However, even if the dates are different, the essence of the celebration remains the same.   Australians express their gratitude to their dads and thank them for all the care and support that they have given.   Games, activities and get-togethers are scheduled on the day to strengthen father-and-child bonds. New Zealand Date of Father's Day celebration: First Sunday of September Estimated number of Filipinos: 29,699*   Both Australia and New Zealand celebrate Father's Day every first Sunday of September unlike in most countries where the holiday is marked every third Sunday of June.   Families from New Zealand pamper their dads with various gifts such as handmade cards and flowers.   They also spend their time with their dads to engage in fun activities that make the day more special.     India: Date when Father's Day is celebrated: Third Sunday of June Estimated number of Filipinos: 2,081*   Father’s Day celebrations is fairly new to the Indian people and was mainly taken from the western style of holding the tradition.   It has only been observed for roughly a decade but it is already widely accepted by India despite the differences in religion and culture.   However, urban areas have a much higher awareness of the tradition compared to the rural areas.   Children give greeting cards and treat their fathers to restaurants and movies while fathers teach them the importance of Indian values and manners. - VVP/HS, GMA News    * Data from the 2010 Stock Estimate of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas