As cool as it is to be able to have a special day on the calendar to honour our dads, Father’s Day would not have happened if it weren’t for Mother’s Day. The idea came about in 1909 in Spokane, Washington while Sonora Smart was listening to a Mother’s Day sermon. She and her five siblings were raised by their father following the death of their mother.

Father’s Day was her way of thanking him for all he had done to raise his children. The sacrifices he made in his own life to be there for Sonora and her siblings stood out to her. It was because of this that she wanted to do something great as her way of acknowledging the difference her father made in her life. 

Sonora’s father, William Jackson Smart, was born in June. The first Father’s Day Celebration was held in Spokane on June, 19, 1910. Over a decade later, in 1926, the National Father’s Day Committee was formed in New York City. It wasn’t until 1956 when Father’s Day was officially recognized by a Joint Resolution of Congress.

A permanent national observance of Father’s Day did not happen until 1966. It was US President Richard Nixon who established this by setting the third Sunday in June as the annual date to celebrate fatherhood and male parenting. Father’s Day exists in many other countries in the world and is celebrated in many different ways.

At Kelly O’Bryans we love any reason to have a celebration and Father’s Day is one of our favourites. So to get you in the mood for celebrating all your dad has done for you, we present this unofficial list of Father’s Day Facts:

1. Father’s Day Online Searches

The internet has changed how we do a lot of things. When it comes to Father’s Day popular internet searches include “Father’s Day Crafts,” “Father’s Day poems” and the Kelly O’Bryans top choice “Father’s Day recipes.”

2. Official Flower

The rose is the official flower of Father’s Day. There are some guidelines, though. If your father is living, you would wear a red rose. If he is deceased, you would wear a white rose.

3. Different Dates Around The World

Father’s Day is celebrated on March 19th, St. Joseph’s Day, in Portugal and Spain. It’s the first Sunday in September in Australia. At Kelly O’Bryans we use the third Sunday in June like most everywhere else.

4. A Hallmark Day

Sons and daughters send half the Father’s Day cards that are received by dads on their day. Wives purchase a total of 20-percent of the rest of the cards with the balance going to grandfathers, sons, brothers and uncles.

5. Top Gift Ideas

You had to see this one coming! The necktie is the number one gift given to dads on Father’s Day. Hand tools such as screwdrivers and hammers are next on the list. Fishing rods are also top picks.

Father’s Day and Canada Day at Kelly O’Bryans

Celebrate any family occasion with us and you will have an experience you will talk about long after the evening is over. Father’s Day is no exception.

You can also join us on Canada Day to wish our beautiful country a Happy 150th Birthday. There’s no shortage of things to do around Kamloops on Canada Day. Why not include Kelly O’Bryans as part of your celebration? Call us today to reserve your table!