Father's Day turns 100 this Sunday thanks to the work of Sonora Dodd, a Spokane woman who, in 1909, upon hearing a sermon at her church about the importance of mothers, suggested to her minister that there should be a day honoring dads (apparently her father was a Civil War vet who raised six kids on his own, so she had her reasons). One year later, Spokane's mayor and Washington's governor established Father's Day. It wasn't until 1972 that Richard Nixon declared the third Sunday in June as Father's Day.
To honor their native daughter who inaugurated the holiday, Spokane is hosting a week-long celebration to honor Dodd, oh, and dads, MSNBC reports.
Residents and visitors can tour Dodd's Craftsman-style bungalow or head to a local theater to watch "Field of Dreams;" the Spokane Arena is showing "Star Wars" and an orchestra will play music from the movie; a local gallery is hosting a "Sketches of Dad" exhibit; the local community center is throwing a father-daughter dance, and, oddest of all, a local salon is teaching dad's how to style their daughter's hair just in case mom isn't around.
Spokane isn't the only city with festivals honoring fathers: dads get in free (not sure how you show proof) at the San Diego Natural History Museum, the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, Madame Tussaud's wax museum in D.C., the Jacksonville Zoo and Seattle's Museum of Flight.