When is Father's Day 2023? The history of the holiday

The first Father's Day was celebrated in 1910, but it took over 60 years for the holiday to become official. Since then, Father's Day has given the United States the opportunity to show love and appreciation toward the father figures in their lives.

The idea for Father's Day emerged decades after Mother's Day, and became a federal holiday in 1972. Gift-giving is a popular way to celebrate the day, and Americans now spend an estimated $1 billion each year on presents, according to History.com.

Father's Day essay: Dads should let sons know there's more to being a man than showing toughness

Whether you celebrate by giving gifts or spending quality time with your dad, Father's Day honors the men in our lives, fatherhood and paternal influences.

Here's what you need to know about Father's Day, including when it falls in 2023 and a little bit about the holiday's history.

When is Father's Day?

Father's Day is celebrated each year on the third Sunday in June. This year, it lands on June 18.

Why do we celebrate Father's Day?

Washington was the first state to celebrate Father's Day on June 19, 1910, according to History.com. The idea came from Sonora Smart Dodd, a woman in Spokane, Washington, who was raised by her widower father. Dodd petitioned local churches, the YMCA and shopkeepers to observe Father's Day – a Mother's Day counterpart that would celebrate dads.

Why do we celebrate Father's Day?

Father's Day was inspired by its counterpart, Mother's Day.

Mother's Day became a commercial holiday in 1908. By 1914, it was made official by President Woodrow Wilson, who said the second Sunday of May would be dedicated to honoring “that tender, gentle army, the mothers of America.”

After hearing a Mother's Day sermon, Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington, was inspired to create a similar holiday that celebrated fathers. Dodd was raised by a widower with 14 children. As a result, she wanted to honor the "loving service" of fathers.

Dodd gained support from community members including shopkeepers, churches and government officials. This led to the first Father's Day, which was celebrated on June 19, 1910.

Father's Day was made a permanent holiday and was officially signed into law by President Richard Nixon in 1972.

Father's Day gift ideas

See USA Today's list of 50-plus gifts for dad here.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Father's Day 2023, the history of the holiday