In 1908, the first Mother’s Day was celebrated, and it was only a few months later that people began to rally for a similar day for Dad. From West Virginia mining communities to Pacific Northwest churches, people tried to get the observance some traction. During and after World War II, retailers marketed a day for fathers by positioning it as a way to honor returning soldiers. But it wasn’t until 1972 that President Nixon signed the day into law, finally giving the United States an official Father’s Day.

Long before the day was official, of course, there were outstanding dads in history. Here are a few interesting stories that we unearthed in honor of the day.

George Washington, known as the Father of the Country, was not able to have children of his own due to the effects of several illnesses. He did, however, adopt and raise the two children of his wife, Martha.

A.A. Mile’s classic children’ tale Winnie the Pooh was inspired by the author’s adventures with his real-life son, Christopher Robin. The pair enjoyed spending time at the London Zoo, where a bear named “Winnie” was one of the favorite residents. The “Pooh” portion of the moniker was after the name of Christopher Robin’s pet swan, and the title character was fashioned after the boy’s teddy bear.

Frank Sinatra did it his way and was entered into the history books as being the only father to hit #1 on the Billboard chart with one of his children. “Something Stupid,” recorded with daughter Nancy, was top of the charts in 1967.

Rick Hoyt, who has cerebral palsy, has finisher’s medals from hundreds of marathons and triathlons despite his condition. This is because of the determination of his incredible father, Dick – who uses specialized bikes and apparatus to compete with his son. They ran their first five-mile race together when Rick was in high school, and when the boy expressed his joy in competing, his father became dedicated to giving him that joy throughout his life.

Each dad who invests time and energy into the life of their children is an everyday hero. On June 19, honor your special dad with a unique gift from Peoples Flower Shops – whether a gourmet gift or long-lasting green plant – we have the Father’s Day gifts he will enjoy.

Celebrated in June, Father’s Day was introduced to the nation in the early 20th century after several towns around the United States began celebrating the holiday independently. The holiday grew swiftly in popularity in the years after the establishment of Mother’s Day. Today, families visit Peoples Flower Shops for fun and memorable gifts for dads on Father’s Day.

The Interesting History of Father’s Day

Historians believe a woman in West Virginia was inspired to create Father’s Day after she saw the success of a similar campaign by another woman to establish Mother’s Day. The earliest known celebration of Father’s Day was in July of 1908, but the holiday initially had some difficulty gaining popularity because of its closeness to Independence Day.

Over the next few decades, additional cities would create their own Father’s Day celebrations. The holiday would gain national attention, but it wouldn’t be until the 1960s when then-President Johnson would proclaim that Father’s Day would be held on the third Sunday in June each year.

Did You Know? Some countries also celebrate “Men’s Day,” which is to recognize men and boys who aren’t fathers. Men’s Day is celebrated on November 19th.

Croton Plant

Celebrating Father’s Day Today

There is no right or wrong way to celebrate Father’s Day, and it’s fun for the family to think up ways to honor dad with activities and gifts. With the proliferation of smartphones and video capturing devices, one of the modern ways that families have begun celebrating Father’s Day is through video compilations shared on social media or as a movie night with the family.

The videos may include funny slices of life from the family’s past year with dad including playing with the kids, funny things that have happened on camera, and big events like the birth of a child or a graduation from school. The videos can be as light-hearted and fun or as meaningful and memorable as you want.

Pothos Plant

Have You Chosen Your Card and Gift?

Does the dad in your family have a green thumb? Does he work in a cold, gray office building? You might think about giving him a nice plant for his desk. Maybe a simple Porthos plant that can sit in the corner of his office. They’re really easy to care for and only require minimal watering and attention.

You can also think about a plant that can eventually go in the ground somewhere around your home. Maybe a colorful croton plant that can decorate the porch for a few months and then head into the ground as part of the home’s landscaping.