Did You Know?
Facts, Figures & Folklore
About Father’s Day & Fatherhood
June 19 : 01 day till Father’s Day

Did you know that many child development experts believe the influence of a father on his children is most critical from the ages of six to 14?

Former President George W. Bush, himself a father of two, agrees. As he wrote in the 2008 Presidential Proclamation for Father’s Day.

“By providing their sons and daughters with a positive example, fathers help give their children the necessary foundation they need to make wise decisions throughout their lives.”

*Read Barack Obama’s 2010 Presidential Father’s Day Proclamation

Father’s Day is a day of commemoration and celebration of Dad. It is a day to not only honor your father, but all men who have acted as a father figure in your life – whether as Stepfathers, Uncles, Grandfathers, or “Big Brothers.” So join our Father’s Day festivities as we present a new “Did You Know?” fact each day as we countdown to Father’s Day on Sunday June 20th!

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As we countdown to Father’s Day (06/20) – here’s our continuing look at some of TV’s favorite fathers: From the 1950s cardigan-wearing, “Father Knows Best” types to the 21st century guys juggling dysfunctional families and questionable careers.

TV’s Top Dads (in chronological order)

Ray Barone (1990′s/00′s)

Ray Barone (played by comedian Ray Romano) was the Italian-American, sportswriter dad to three on Everybody Loves Raymond (1996-2005). Set on Long Island, the show featured the complicated (some might say: dysfunctional) family dynamics between the dopey but well-intentioned Ray; his long-suffering wife Debra; his gruff but good-hearted father Frank; and his meddling, passive aggressive mother Marie. And many were the opportunities for conflict between them, since Ray and Debra lived right across the street from Frank and Marie.

Check back each day for another TV dad (or you can cheat and check out all our TV dads here).

Juneteenth
Celebrating the anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation.

“Juneteenth” comes from the words “June” and “19th”, which according to southern folklore, is when the slaves of Texas first learned of their freedom. Though freed in 1863, the slaves did not learn of their freedom until the arrival of the Union soldiers on June 19th, 1865, 2 1/2 years after the proclamation was first issued.

For more information : Juneteenth: June 19th – A Day of Thanks and the Celebration of Emancipation

photo credit: via flickr