West Saint Paul Antiques

After the success obtained by Anna Jarvis with the promotion of Mother's Day in the US, some wanted to create similar holidays for other family members, and Father's Day was the choice most likely to succeed. There were other persons in the US who independently thought of "Father's Day", but the credit for the modern holiday is often given to Sonora Dodd, who was the driving force behind its establishment.

Father's Day was founded in Spokane, Washington at the YMCA in 1910 by Sonora Smart Dodd, who was born in Arkansas. Its first celebration was in the Spokane YMCA on June 19, 1910. Her father, the Civil War veteran William Jackson Smart, was a single parent who raised his six children there. After hearing a sermon about Jarvis' Mother's Day in 1909, she told her pastor that fathers should have a similar holiday honoring them. Although she initially suggested June 5, her father's birthday, the pastors did not have enough time to prepare their sermons, and the celebration was deferred to the third Sunday of June.

It did not have much success initially. In the 1920s, Dodd stopped promoting the celebration because she was studying in the Art Institute of Chicago, and it faded into relative obscurity, even in Spokane. In the 1930s Dodd returned to Spokane and started promoting the celebration again, raising awareness at a national level. She had the help of those trade groups that would benefit most from the holiday, for example the manufacturers of ties, tobacco pipes, and any traditional present to fathers. Since 1938 she had the help of the Father's Day Council, founded by the New York Associated Men's Wear Retailers to consolidate and systematize the commercial promotion. Americans resisted the holiday during a few decades, perceiving it as just an attempt by merchants to replicate the commercial success of Mother's Day, and newspapers frequently featured cynical and sarcastic attacks and jokes. But the trade groups did not give up: they kept promoting it and even incorporated the jokes into their adverts, and they eventually succeeded. By the mid-1980s the Father's Council wrote that " [Father's Day] has become a Second Christmas for all the men's gift-oriented industries."

A bill to accord national recognition of the holiday was introduced in Congress in 1913. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson went to Spokane to speak in a Father's Day celebration and wanted to make it official, but Congress resisted, fearing that it would become commercialized. US President Calvin Coolidge recommended in 1924 that the day be observed by the nation, but stopped short of issuing a national proclamation. Two earlier attempts to formally recognize the holiday had been defeated by Congress. In 1957, Maine Senator Margaret Chase Smith wrote a proposal accusing Congress of ignoring fathers for 40 years while honoring mothers, thus "[singling] out just one of our two parents". In 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson issued the first presidential proclamation honoring fathers, designating the third Sunday in June as Father's Day. Six years later, the day was made a permanent national holiday when President Richard Nixon signed it into law in 1972.

In addition to Father's Day, International Men's Day is celebrated in many countries on November 19 for men and boys who are not fathers.

Are you interested in giving your beloved Dad the best Father’s Day gift ever? If so, you need to know that there are some amazing gift ideas out there. By perusing our practical list of the top 10 great gifts for Father’s Day 2014, you’ll be able to select one or more gift ideas which are bound to make him happy. While every man is different, these selections are designed to please most Dads, and they are available at a range of different price points.

10.) Wristwatches – Every man loves sporting a wristwatch which is styled to suit his own tastes and preferences. Since wristwatch styles run the gamut, from classic and traditional to funky and modern, there is truly something for every Dad. Find a timepiece that suits your father’s unique sense of style, and then offer it to him on Father’s Day. He’ll think of you every time that he wears it!

9.) Cashmere Scarfs – Help him to stay warm, cozy and oh-so-stylish on chilly days, by giving him a luxurious cashmere scarf. This designer gift will be the perfect complement to any sort of outfit. Choose a color that he loves, such as navy blue or bright crimson. He’ll adore the softness and elegance of this practical gift.

8.) Cufflinks – These days, cufflinks are back in vogue, and many men love them, as they offer a touch of old-fashioned styles. If your father loves formal attire, such as dress shirts and suits, he’ll be a perfect candidate for this sort of gift. You may find these items in a range of materials, from affordable sterling silver to 14k gold.

7.) Body Care Products – These days, men pay more attention to their grooming, so why not spoil your Dad with body care products which leave his skin soft, fresh and glowing? The biggest cosmetics manufacturers typically offer men’s skin care lines, which include body washes, facial cleaners and body moisturizers. So, why not treat him to a few special items that make taking a shower more fun?

6.) Books – A special coffee table book which features a topic that he loves, from muscle cars to World War II history, will be a very thoughtful gift. He’ll spend hours reading this type of book, and he’ll learn more about one of his fave obsessions. Just be sure to select a tome that really suits him. You may browse for these books online.

5.) Gadgets – Men adore gadgets, from high-end, automatic corkscrews to iPads. So, why not choose some gadgets for him this Father’s Day? Whether they are old school or electronic, they’ll suit him to perfection and give him something fun to tinker with on the big day.

4.) Music – An iTunes gift card will allow him to choose tunes he loves, whenever he wants to. You may also wish to give him CDs or vinyl records. Whether he loves the Big Band Sound or Nirvana, you’ll find that giving him music is definitely a smart way to indulge his passions on this special occasion.

3.) Sports Gear or Memorabilia – If he’s a sports fan – and so many Dads are – why not offer him sports gear or memorabilia? Whether you choose a baseball cap from his favorite major league team or a signed football from a bona fide gridiron legend, you’ll find that this form of gift really makes him smile.

2.) Car Stuff – Men love vehicles – in fact, in the eyes of some men, cars are practically “their babies”. So, why not treat him to car stuff, such as aftermarket parts or seat covers? By helping him to customize his ride, you’ll be bound to make him very happy.

1.) Clothes – A wonderful sweater, a chic t-shirt, or a high-quality dress shirt will make a perfect and traditional gift idea. Choose fabrics, colors and cuts that suit his style, and then look forward to offering him a sensible gift that he can enjoy over the long term. If you’re on a budget, buy him a nice tie or belt.