Steven Heller Reflects on Father's Day, Commercialism, and Personal Memory

In a reflective piece for PRINT Magazine, Steven Heller contemplates Father's Day, tracing its commercial roots and his own familial background. He points out that Sonora Smart Dodd established Father's Day in 1910 at the YMCA in Spokane, WA, yet he believes the greeting card industry largely influenced its growth. Heller reminisces about his father, who would have celebrated his 109th birthday on June 21, 2022, and recounts spending Father's Day 2022 with his son at Soup 'n Burger on Astor Place, NYC, a diner that had been in business for 75 years before closing. He considers the conflict between commercial interests and sincere gratitude, ultimately suggesting that Father's Day should be honored daily.