108 Years of Father's Day

In the Middle Ages in Catholic Europe, March 19, the feast day of St. Joseph, was the day when the faithful celebrated fatherhood, paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in society.

 The tradition came to the Americas with Spanish and Portuguese explorers and, in fact, March 19  is still recognized as Father's Day in Spain and Portugal, as well as in Bolivia and Honduras, among others.

In the U.S., there are several reported origins of this holiday.  One has it that in 1908 a woman named Sonora Smart Dodd, after listening to a Mother's Day sermon at church in Spokane, Wash., raised the issue of honoring fathers as well.  Her own father, William Smart, was a widow who raised her and her five siblings for 11 years after his wife's death.  On June 19, 1910, "sermons honoring fathers were presented throughout the city" of Spokane at Methodist churches.

Lothar Fieg Sr. "out West"

Another report tells of Harry Meek, a member of the Lions Clubs International, claimed to be the originator of the idea of Father's Day in 1915.  He chose the third Sunday in June that year (his own birthday) and made many efforts to promote it and make it an official holiday.  The Lions Club named him the "Originator of Father's Day."

It was not until 1966, however, that President Lyndon Johnson designated the third Sunday in June to be Father's Day.  Six years later, President Richard Nixon signed it into law as a permanent national holiday.

So, in a time-honored tradition, we belatedly honor the men who brought home the bacon, cleaned the gutters, mowed the grass, and taught us how to stand tall.  Thanks, Dad!

Young Jim McGonigal

Uncle Dick Bookhout - here comes the judge!

Lothar Jr., war hero

Frank Fieg, working hard

A youthful V. Philip Fieg

Bob Whiteside - nice tie!

Mr. Cool - Bob Roman

Joe Kestner - nice shorts!