Creative Child June 2016 | Page 24

FEATURE The First Father’s Day A History and Gift Ideas for His First Father’s Day BY: Rebecca Eanes The History of Father’s Day We now recognize Father’s Day as the day when billions of dollars are spent on neckties, golf clubs, and tech gadgets, but this holiday has a bittersweet history. Grace Golden Clayton of Fairmont, West Virginia was the first to petition for Father’s Day in 1908 after a mining tragedy the previous year had killed more than 360 men and left nearly 1000 children fatherless. 23