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40 Photos That Show What Father's Day Looked Like the Year You Were Born

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No matter how how hard you try to stay ahead of the game, Father's Day always finds a way to sneak up on you. The next time you're wondering when you have to have your Father's Day gifts, homemade cards and activities ready for your #1 guy, keep this fact in mind: Father's Day is always celebrated on the third Sunday in June in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and other countries, which means this year's holiday will take place on June 20, 2021.

The annual holiday was started by Sonora Smart Dodd a few years after Mother's Day was first celebrated to "establish an official equivalent to Mother’s Day for male parents," per History.com. It was a success from the start: The first-ever Father's Day (called Fathers' Day at the time) was celebrated on June 19, 1910 in Washington state, although it wasn't named a national holiday until President Richard Nixon signed it into law in 1972.

The way that we celebrate dad, grandpa and the other men who shape us continues to evolve from one year to the next. Here, take a look at the rich history of the holiday, starting with the Feast of Saint Joseph in the Catholic church. Who knows, you may even feel inspired to incorporate past traditions into this year's festivities.

Early Centuries: Catholics celebrated the Feast of Saint Joseph.

Years before Father's Day came to be, Catholics honored Saint Joseph. The day is still recognized in Irish and Polish communities around the world on March 19.

RELATED: Fun Things to Do for Father's Day

father's day history saint joseph march 19
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1908: Anna Jarvis founded Mother's Day.

The idea for Father's Day came after social activist Anna Jarvis proposed Mother's Day in the early 1900s. Within six years of its inception, Mother's Day was declared an official holiday by President Woodrow Wilson.

father's day history anna jarvis mother's day
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1908: The first event to explicitly honor fathers

The first celebration for fathers in the United States has rather dark origins. On July 5, 1908, a father-themed memorial was held by a West Virginia church for the 362 men were killed in an explosion at the Fairmont Coal Company mines.

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1910: Sonora Smart Dodd honored her dad at the local YMCA.

After listening to a sermon about Mother's Day, Dodd was inspired to create a holiday to recognize her father William Jackson Smart, a Civil War veteran and single dad to six children. She held the first Father's Day celebration at the YMCA in Spokane, Washington.

father's day history sonora smart dodd ymca
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1912: Dads play a role in the invention of the water fountain.

Love can inspire wonderful things — just ask Halsey Taylor. In 1912, Taylor invented the modern drinking fountain as a tribute to his father.

RELATED: Sweet Father's Day Quotes to Share With Dad

1950s little boy playing in water fountain
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1913: Fathers' Day becomes Father's Day.

Grammar geeks, your grievances with the name of this holiday are justified. While Dodd originally called it "Fathers' Day," the first bill which attempted to establish the holiday in 1913 used the spelling "Father's Day" — and it stuck.

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1916: President Woodrow Wilson tried to make Father's Day a thing.

Six years later, news about the holiday reached the White House. President Wilson attended the Father's Day celebration in Spokane and confirmed that he was working to make the holiday recognized at a national level. Congress initially resisted because they were worried about commercialization.

father's day history president woodrow wilson
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1920s: Neckties were the #1 Father's Day gift.

Still, families around the country were celebrating Father's Day by gifting men Hallmark cards and silk ties. Neckties were mass-produced in the 1920s to keep up with the demand surrounding the unofficial holiday.

Father's Day History Ties Gift
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1924: President Calvin Coolidge supported Father's Day.

President Coolidge also had cold feet: He recommended that the nation observe the holiday, but failed to issue a national proclamation (a.k.a. the document that makes it a done deal).

father's day history president calvin coolidge
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1940s: Americans viewed Father's Day as propaganda.

Between the Great Depression and World War II, Americans were weary of anything that encouraged them to spend their hard earned money. During the war, advertisers even began telling housewives that supporting Father's Day was also a way to support their husbands away at war and the war itself.

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1957: Margaret Chase Smith called out Congress.

By the 1950s, Father's Day was celebrated by most Americans even though it wasn't recognized at the federal level. Maine Senator Margaret Chase Smith made a plea to Congress: "The Congress has been guilty now for 40 years of the worst possible oversight against the gallant fathers of our land. Either we honor both our parents, mother and father, or let us desist from honoring either one," she wrote.

Father's Day History Margaret Chase Smith Congress
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1961: Walt Horan resurfaced the proposal for Father's Day.

During a House floor speech, the politician brought up Dodd's historic decision to start Father's Day. "Father's Day has gained nationwide observance but it has never been given the official recognition of Congress," he remarked.

Father's Day History Walter Horan
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1963: John F. Kennedy was named "Father of the Year."

Months before his tragic assassination, President Kennedy was named National Father's Day Committee's "Father of the Year." His was a father of two — Caroline, born 1957, and John, born 1960.

Father's Day History John F. Kennedy
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1966: President Lyndon B. Johnson issued a presidential proclamation.

President Johnson issued the first presidential proclamation honoring fathers and designated the third Sunday of June as Father's Day.

Father's Day History Lyndon B. Johnson
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1967: Frank and Nancy Sinatra make father-daughter history.

A special moment in pop history came in the late 1960s when Frank & Nancy Sinatra's hit single "Something Stupid" became the only father-daughter collaboration to hit the top spot on the Billboard charts.

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1970s: Dad took a break to see 'The Godfather.'

All the while, Marlon Brando and Al Pacino were giving dad some major mafia entertainment. The first movie, which was released in 1972, came out just in time for Father's Day.

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1972: President Richard Nixon declared it an official holiday.

The time has come! President Nixon declared Father's Day an official holiday in 1972.

Father's Day History Richard Nixon Official Holiday
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1973: Nothing changed (a.k.a. dad was watching reruns).

Since Father's Day happens in the summer, most popular TV shows were off-air, including Barnaby Jones, a CBS hit that followed a private eye as he solved cases with his widowed daughter-in-law. On Father's Day in 1973, CBS aired a rerun titled Perchance to Kill.

Father's Day History Barnaby Jones
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1977: Elvis and his dad create a magical TV moment.

The King celebrated his final Father's Day with his biggest fan, his father Vernon Presley. Elvis brought his father on stage during his performance in Omaha, Nebraska, which was filmed for Elvis in Concert, a concert movie that was released later that year.

Father's Day History Elvis Presley
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1978: Dad was busy practicing "the Hustle."

If John Travolta can do it, then so can dad. Men busted out their flared pants and platform shoes to give "the Hustle" a try, inspired the release of Saturday Night Fever.

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1981: Steely Dan broke dad's heart.

Nine years of hits, including "Do It Again" and "Deacon Blues," ended with heartbreak. The rock duo, Walter Beck and Donald Fagen, announced their split on Father's Day in 1981. (Luckily, the band reunited in 1993.)

Father's Day History Steely Dan
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1983: All eyes were on Sally Ride, including dad's.

On the eve of Father's Day, Sally Ride became the first American woman to fly into space aboard the Challenger — and the entire nation was buzzing about it.

Father's Day History Sally Ride NASA
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1985: Dad invested in a leather jacket.

Because the Terminator had one ... obviously. After the release of Arnold Schwarzenegger's blockbuster hit in the fall of 1984, men put black leather jackets on their wish list — and they've been there ever since.

Father's Day History Terminator Arnold Schwarzenegger
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1989: German dads have it made!

Germany's version of Father's Day is called Männertag. Celebrated 4o days after Easter, German dads traditionally get breakfast in bed — and plenty of beer.

caucasian children bringing father breakfast in bed
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1993: Dad cheered on the Chicago Bulls.

Well, actually Michael Jordan. The Chicago Bulls, led by the shooting guard, defeated the Phoenix Suns in the 1993 NBA Finals. Talk about the ultimate Father's Day present!

Father's Day History Chicago Bulls
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1994: Dad requested George Clooney's haircut at the barber shop.

Yep, men also love George Clooney. The Caesar haircut became the go-to for aging men after Clooney shaved off his long hair for his signature Dr. Doug Ross look.

Father's Day History George Clooney Dr. Doug Ross
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1996: Dad played 'My Funny Valentine' on repeat.

The country was mourning the loss of jazz legend Ella Fitzgerald. Lady Ella passed away at home after years of illness linked to diabetes.

Father's Day History Ella Fitzgerald My Funny Valentine
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1998: Dad got his very own 'Air Bud.'

Everyone knows that dogs are truly a dad's best friend. In 1998, golden retrievers and labrador retrievers were the most popular dog breeds in the country.

Father's Day History Air Bud Movie
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2000: Dad witnessed one of Tiger Woods' career highlights.

This is the year that the Tiger Slam began. In 2000, the golfer won this first U.S. Open after a record 15-stroke victory.

Father's Day History Tiger Woods Tiger Slam
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2002: Families mourned the fathers who lost their lives in the 9/11 attack.

Nearly 3,000 men and women lost their lives during the tragic 9/11 attacks — and many of them were fathers. The following Father's Day was a more somber occasion with newspapers, magazines and TV shows honoring the lives lost.

Father's Day History 9/11
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2003: Dads everywhere were reading 'The Da Vinci Code.'

After dad breezed through Angels & Demons, he picked up Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code ahead of the movie adaptation. And he wasn't alone — the book was named a New York Times Best Seller during Father's Day weekend.

Father's Day History The Da Vinci Code
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2005: Dad tuned into a controversial Grand Prix.

Leading up to the race, 14 Formula One race car drivers withdrew due to safety concerns over their Michelin tires. Racing fans weren't pleased, leading to a dramatic — and highly controversial — win by Michael Schumacher.

Father's Day History Grand Prix 2005
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2008: Senator Barack Obama gave a sermon about fatherhood.

On the heels of his presidency, then-Senator Barack Obama gave a heartfelt sermon at Apostolic Church of God in Chicago. "Of all the rocks upon which we build our lives, we are reminded today that family is the most important. And we are called to recognize and honor how critical every father is to that foundation," he said.

Father's Day History Senator Barack Obama
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2010: Dads get flowers on Father's Day.

Flowers aren't just for Mother's Day, you know. On Father's Day, " a red rose can be worn on the lapel if one’s father is living, and a white rose is worn in his memory if he has passed away."

woman offering flowers to a man in the street
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2015: Father's Day becomes the busiest day for collect phone calls

That's right — kids and other family members make their dad pick up the charges on his special day. Father's Day beats out Valentine's Day, Mother's Day and Christmas.

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2016: We spent more on moms.

Sorry, dad. Hallmark sold 141 million cards for Mother's Day in 2016 and only 93 million cards for Father's Day.

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2017: Dad watched Brooks Koepka win the U.S. Open.

If dad can't be on the golf course, he might as well watch it. Lucky for him the U.S. Open often falls on Father's Day. In 2017, 28-year-old Koepka won the trophy.

father's day history brooks koepka us open
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2018: The number of stay-at-home dads continues to rise.

According to the U.S. Census, the number of stay-at-home dads out there is on the rise. By 2019, there were 191,000 stay-at-home dads.

cheerful father playing games console with son
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2019: Father's Day spending reaches new heights.

According to the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics, people spent more on Father's Day in 2019 than ever before ($15.3 million).

Father's Day History Holiday Shopping
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2020: Quite a few people celebrate.

In the United States alone, there are more than 70 million fathers. That's quite a few special celebrations!

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