Honoring Father's Day and WWI

This weekend, Americans will honor and celebrate the hard work of their fathers through gifts, cards, and time spent together. But did you know it wasn’t until 1972 that Father’s Day became a national holiday? Unlike Mother’s Day, which has been recognized as a national holiday since 1914, Father’s Day had trouble gaining official recognition. It took over fifty years since its inception for the federal government to legally recognize it.



Sonora Smart Dodd, Father's Day founder

As the daughter of a widower and Civil War veteran, Sonora Smart Dodd decided in 1909 that fathers like hers deserved their fair share of recognition. She petitioned for a Father’s Day celebration in her hometown of Spokane, Washington, and in 1910, the first Father’s Day was held.
 
At first, it wasn’t very popular, and some protested against having two separate Mother’s Day and Father’s Day instead of one combined "Parents' Day." What helped popularize the celebration of Father’s Day was World War II, as advertisers used the holiday as an opportunity to honor those in uniform, specifically fathers.

One hundred years ago, the maker of the embroidery below sought to honor her own father in uniform through a personalized gift – on it, written "To my dear father." It features the British, French, and American flags, and was created sometime during World War I (1914- 1918).


Embroidery c. 1914- 1918, featured at the Waterford Museum 

In addition to fathers on Father’s Day, it is important to remember our troops: 2017 marks the 100th anniversary of America's official entry into WWI. In Europe the war began in 1914, when the Archduke of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Franz Ferdinand, was assassinated by a Serbian nationalist. Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia in response.

Franz Ferdinand

After countries began taking sides, Europe was thrown into a full-fledged war, with Austria-Hungary, Germany, and the Ottoman Empire (the Central Powers) against France, Britain, and Russia (the Allied Powers). The United States debated on whether or not to join the Allies and break its policy of isolationism, but in 1917 it did.

While World War I was an international phenomenon, it should be noted that Waterford made significant contributions to war efforts both at home and abroad. Pictured below is a roster of the Waterford soldiers who fought in WWI and a sugar ration used among the people who stayed at home.

Waterford's American Legion Roster, featured at the Waterford Museum 



 A customer's sugar ration card c. 1915, also at the Waterford Museum

Both efforts were needed and important. Sending ground troops to Europe helped turn the war around since the Allied Powers had reached a stalemate. They needed the help of American soldiers to claim victory over the Central Powers, which was achieved in 1918. Food rations were used to conserve resources so that extra food and supplies could be sent overseas. As you can see, Waterford’s local history truly expands beyond state and country borders!

Father’s Day and the 100th anniversary of WWI, though seemingly unrelated, are linked by history, as most things tend to be. Father’s Day was founded by a woman who wanted to show respect for her father's work as a widower and as a veteran. It was later popularized by advertisers who used the holiday as an opportunity to commemorate soldiers. This historic connection to the military shaped Father's Day into the nationally recognized celebration we know today. It is only fitting that we remember our troops in light of these events.

　
For more reading see:
http://www.history.com/topics/holidays/fathers-day
https://www.livescience.com/10697-father-day-turns-100.html
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-i/outbreak-of-world-war-i#
https://www.britannica.com/event/World-War-I