The First Legend:

　　The first Father's Day in the world was born in the United States in 1910.

　　In 1909, Mrs. Dodd, Sonora Louise Smart Dodd, who lived in Spokane, Washington, after attending a Mother's Day Sunday worship service at the church, had deep feelings in her heart. She thought to herself, "Why doesn't the world have a day to commemorate fathers?"

　　Mrs. Dodd's mother passed away when she was thirteen years old, leaving six children behind. Her father, Mr. William Smart, raised the six children alone on a farm in the countryside of eastern Washington, USA, taking on both the roles of father and mother. Mr. Smart had participated in the American Civil War, and he was honored for his achievements. After his wife's death, he vowed not to remarry and devoted himself entirely to raising his six children.

　　Mrs. Dodd was the second child, the only girl in the family. Her feminine sensitivity allowed her to better understand her father's hard work. Mr. Smart worked hard during the day and took care of household chores and the lives of each child in the evening. After decades of hard work, the children finally grew up. When the children hoped that Mr. Smart could enjoy his retirement, he fell ill and passed away due to years of overwork.

　　That year, 1909, happened to be the year Mr. Smart passed away. After attending the Mother's Day thanksgiving service at the church, Mrs. Dodd felt a deep longing for her father. It was then that Mrs. Dodd realized that the love and effort her father had invested in raising his children were no less than that of any mother.

　　Mrs. Dodd shared her feelings with Rev. Rasmus of the church. She hoped there would be a special day to honor the great Mr. Smart and to commemorate all great fathers around the world.

　　After hearing Mr. Smart's story, Rev. Rasmus was deeply moved by Mr. Smart's spirit and love. He approved of and supported Mrs. Dodd's efforts to promote "Father's Day." Thus, Mrs. Dodd started promoting the movement to establish Father's Day in the spring of 1910. Soon, she received support from various church organizations. She then wrote a letter to the mayor and state government expressing her thoughts and proposals. With Mrs. Dodd's efforts, the mayor of Spokane and the governor of Washington publicly expressed their support. Therefore, Washington State held the world's first Father's Day gathering on June 19, 1910.