http://www.rexanne.com/fday-history.html

I did a little research and found out Father's Day, contrary to popular misconception, was not established as a holiday in order to help greeting card manufacturers sell more cards and make tie manufacturers get rich. In fact when a "Father's Day" was first proposed there were no Father's Day cards! Throughout history all cultures have honored their fathers and husbands. Why? Because they demanded and got respect for putting food on the table. This of course was prior to Women's Lib movements, but men still have occasional days.... thanks to this Spokane Washington socialite.

Mrs. John B. Dodd, of Washington, first proposed the idea of a "father's day" in 1909. Mrs. Dodd wanted a special day to honor her father, William Smart a decorated Civil War veteran. He was widowed when his wife (Mrs. Dodd's mother) died in childbirth with their sixth child. Mr. Smart was left with the daunting task to raise the newborn and his other five children by himself on a rural farm in eastern Washington state. It was after Mrs. Dodd became an adult that she realized the strength and selflessness her father had shown in raising his children as a single parent giving his all.