What is the origins of Father's Day, and why is it so important? We decided to find out...

Who invented Father's Day?

Did you know that Father's Day has a very interesting history? It was invented by a lady called Sonora Smart Dodd. Her father was William Jackson Smart, an American Civil War veteran. William was a single parent who raised six children by himself.

As Sonora grew up she realised that there was a Mother's Day, but there wasn't a Father's Day, so she didn't have a day where she could say thank you to her dad for raising her and her five siblings. 

She decided this simply would not do, so Sonora petitioned her local community and government to create a day, and they agreed. The first ever Father's Day was celebrated as a public holiday in 1910. 

When is Father's Day in the UK? 

Father's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June. So, this year we're celebrating Father's Day on 15th June. No matter who the father figures are in your life, it is the perfect day to honour fathers and show them how much they are appreciated.

If you're stuck of ideas of what to get the man in your life who seems to have everything, then take a look at our Father's Day Gift Guide, where you will be sure to find at least a couple of fail-proof father's day gift ideas. 

Why is Father's Day so important?

As a national holiday celebrating dads, Father's Day gives us an official holiday to say thank you to a very special person in our lives. In fact, originally, Father's Day was going to be held on 5th June, which was Sonora's Father's birthday. However, this was changed to the third Sunday of June.

Father's Day celebrations are so important because they show our dads and other father figuers how proud of them we are, and how much they mean to us. So, whether it's your partner's first Father's Day or if you want to do something truly special for your father or fathers in law this year, do it in style with Cocoba chocolate!

Are there other Special Days for Parents?

Over 100 years after Father's Day was first celecrated, the United Nations declared a new public holiday of Parents Day to be held on 1st June. So, now all family members have a day where we can show them how loved they are - whether they be mothers, fathers, carers, or other family members or loved ones who spend so much time looking after their children.