Did you know the first ever Father’s Day was celebrated on June 19th, 1910 in the state of Washington? It didn’t really catch on until retailers pushed it during the Great Depression and then it surged again during WWII as a way to recognize troops. But did you also know that we have Richard Nixon to thank for making it a sanctioned holiday when he signed Proclamation 4127 on May 1, 1972, which declared Father's Day as a national holiday? The first official celebration was on June 18, 1972. Incidentally, the Watergate break-in was June 17, 1972. Now you are ready for your next virtual trivia competition! You’re welcome!!
The calendar feels a little wonky these days (what doesn’t) and since it always falls on the third Sunday, it snuck up on MAA a little bit this year. Never fear – we are here for you with our last-minute gift ideas for local dads and dads further away from you.
Father’s Day Celebration Ideas:
Father’s Day Grill-Pack by Chef Geoff’s (delivered to your door)
Custom-engraved bottle of bourbon from Republic Restoratives
A custom print of your dads favorite books (from Ideal Bookshelf)
Printable Coupons from Etsy
DIY Personalized Grill Spatula and other DIY ideas
43 last-minute gift ideas (from the Strategist)
Golf has been one of the few approved socially-distant activities, so if you can, send your dad out on the links but call ahead to make a tee time - Sunday is likely to be a busy day!
We had to give a shout-out to this dad from Kensington, MD who made it in the WaPo for his bad dad jokes he started posting outside his house during quarantine. For more bad jokes, click here.
More Movie Recs
Spike Lee’s “Da 5 Bloods” Reviewed on The New Yorker - now streaming on Netflix.
Great Documentaries About Black Lives:
“I Am Not Your Negro” (Amazon) - In this Oscar-nominated film, Samuel L. Jackson reads writer James Baldwin’s piercing ruminations on race in 1960s America, particularly in light of the murders of Martin Luther King Jr., Medgar Evers and Malcolm X.
“Quincy” (Netflix) - The astonishing career of composer, producer and arranger Quincy Jones, now 87. He shares memories of everyone from Frank Sinatra to Sarah Vaughan to Lesley Gore to Michael Jackson to Oprah Winfrey (he cast her in The Color Purple).
“13th” (Netflix) - Ava DuVernay (Selma, When The See Us) directed this incisive documentary about how America’s legal system is rigged to sweep black people off the streets and into the prison system. Commentator Van Jones is one of the experts.
“What Happened, Miss Simone?” (Netflix) - This is an affecting Oscar-nominated biography of the tremendously influential, deeply enigmatic singer and civil rights champion (1922-2003), who struggled for years with bipolar disorder. (source: People)
#LOVEWINS
ICYMI: Yesterday, the Supreme Court handed down a huge win for the LGBT community with its landmark decision in Bostock v. Clayton County. With the court ruling 6-3, and Gorsuch writing the opinion (!!!), the court has determined that gay, lesbian and transgender employees can no longer be disciplined, fired or turned down from a job based on their sexual orientation. Read more here.
