Father's Day

For centuries, the Orthodox Church has appointed the second Sunday before Nativity as the Sunday of the Forefathers to commemorate the ancestors of Christ according to the flesh, starting with Adam and emphasizing the Patriarch Abraham, to whom God said,

In thy seed shall all of the nations of the earth be blessed

— Genesis 12:3, 22:18

This feast can fall between December 11 and 17.[5][6] This feast includes the ancestors of the Theotokos and various holy prophets.

A customary day for the celebration of fatherhood in Catholic Europe is known to date back to at least 1508. It is usually celebrated on March 19, as the feast day of Saint Joseph, who is referred to as the fatherly Nutritor Domini ("Nourisher of the Lord") in Catholicism and "the putative father of Jesus" in southern European tradition. This celebration was brought to the Americas by the Spanish and Portuguese. The Catholic Church actively supported the custom of a celebration of fatherhood on St. Joseph's Day from either the last years of the 14th century or from the early 15th century,[7] apparently on the initiative of the Franciscans.[8]

In the Coptic Orthodox Church, the celebration of fatherhood is also observed on St Joseph's Day, but the Copts observe this on July 20. The Coptic celebration may date back to the fifth century.[7]

Whether to celebrate this day worldwide or not, remained a debatable topic for long. Then, in 1908, by Grace Golden Clayton proposed the day to honour those men who lost their lives in a mining accident in the US. Though, it was not accepted then. But in 1909, Sonora Smart Dodd, who along with her five brothers were raised by her father alone, being inspired after attending Mother’s day in a church, tried to convince the Spokane Ministerial Association to celebrate father’s day worldwide and succeeded.[9][10]

In addition to Father's Day, International Men's Day is celebrated in many countries on November 19 in honor of men including boys.[11]

In Algeria, the third Sunday in June is the dedicated day to celebrate the Father's Day.[34]

In Egypt, Father's Day is celebrated on June 21 of every year.[35]

In Kenya, Father's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June and is not a public holiday.[36]

In Morocco, the third Sunday in June is the dedicated day to celebrate the Father's Day.[37]

While Mozambique recognizes International Fathers' Day on June 16 in most small towns they consider Father's day to be just about every Friday[38].

In Seychelles, Father's Day is celebrated on June 16 and is not a public holiday.[39]

In South Africa, Father's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June. It is not a public holiday.[40]

In South Sudan, Father's Day is celebrated on the last Monday of August. President Salva Kiir Mayardit proclaimed it before August 27, 2012. First celebrated on August 27, 2012, Father's Day was not celebrated in South Sudan in 2011 (due to the country's independence).[41]

In Sudan, Father's Day (عيد الأب), is celebrated on the twenty-first of June.[42]

In the People's Republic of China, there is no official Father's Day. Some people celebrate on the third Sunday of June, according to the tradition of the United States. Father's Day is also celebrated in the special administrative regions. In Hong Kong, it is celebrated on the third Sunday of June and is not a public holiday. In Macau, Father's Day (Dia do Pai) is celebrated on the third Sunday of June and is not a public holiday.[43]

Father's Day is observed on the third Sunday of June in India. The event is not a public holiday. The day is usually celebrated only in bigger cities like Hyderabad, Chennai, Mumbai, New Delhi, Kanpur, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Pune and others. After this day was first observed in the United States in 1908 and gradually gained popularity,[44] Indian metropolitan cities, much later, followed suit by recognising this event. In India, the day is usually celebrated with children giving gifts like greeting cards, electronic gadgets, shirts, coffee mugs or books to their fathers.[45][9]

In Indonesia, Father's Day is celebrated on November 12 and is not a public holiday. Father's Day in Indonesia was first declared in 2006 in Solo City Hall attended by hundreds of people from various community groups, including people from community of inter-religion communication. Because of its recent declaration, there is not very much hype about the celebration, compared to the celebration of Mother's Day on December 22[46]. Google also created its doodle for Indonesia in 2019.[47]

In Israel, Father's Day is usually celebrated as part of Family Day on Shevat 30, though some celebrate on May 1 together with Workers' Day or Labour Day.[48]

In Japan, Father's Day (父の日, chichi no hi) is celebrated on the third Sunday of June and is not a public holiday. Common presents are sake, shochu, fashion items, some kinds of gourmet food, sports equipment and various sweets.[49]

Since 2012, Kazakhstan celebrates Defender of the Fatherland Day (Kazakh: Отан Қорғаушы күні) to commemorate the foundation of the armed forces. It is also called Army Day and it is celebrated on May 7. Kazakh society perceives it as ‘a men’s day’ and honouring men so it is vaguely a celebration of fathers.[50]

In South Korea, Parents' day (Korean: 어버이날) is celebrated on May 8 and is not a public holiday.[51]

In Malaysia, Father's Day falls on the third Sunday of June.[52]

The Mongolian Men's Association began the celebration of Father's Day on 8 August since 2005.[53]

The Newar population (natives of Kathmandu valley) in Nepal honors fathers on the day of kusa aunsi, which occurs in late August or early September, depending on the year, since it depends on the lunar calendar. The Western-inspired celebration of Father's Day that was imported into the country is always celebrated on the same day as Gokarna Aunsi.[54]

The rest of the population has also begun to celebrate the Gokarna Aunsi day[54] It is commonly known as Abu ya Khwa Swoyegu in Nepal Bhasa or Buwaako mukh herne din (Nepali: बुवाको मुख हेर्ने दिन, lit. 'day for looking at father's face').[33][55] On the new moon day (Amavasya), it is traditional to pay respect to one's deceased father; Hindus go to the Shiva temple of Gokarneswor Mahadev, in Gokarna, a suburb of Kathmandu[56] while Buddhists go to Jan Bahal (Seto Machhendranath or white Tara) temple in Kathmandu.

Traditionally, in the Kathmandu Valley, the south-western corner is reserved for women and women-related rituals, and the north-eastern is for men and men-related rituals. The worship place for Mata Tirtha Aunsi ('Mother Pilgrimage New Moon') is located in Mata Tirtha in the south-western half of the valley, while the worship place for Gokarna Aunsi is located in the north-eastern half. This division is reflected in many aspects of the life in the Kathmandu Valley.[57]

Father's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June. The Rutgers WPF launched a campaign titled 'Greening Pakistan – Promoting Responsible Fatherhood' on Father's Day (Sunday June 18, 2017) across Pakistan to promote active fatherhood and responsibility for the care and upbringing of children.[58][59] Father's Day is not a public holiday in Pakistan.

In the Philippines, Father's Day is officially celebrated every third Sunday of June according to a recent presidential proclamation,[60] but it is not a public holiday. It is more widely observed by the public on the 3rd Sunday of June perhaps due to American influence and as proclaimed in 1988 by Philippine President Corazon Aquino.[61]

Under Proclamation No. 58, series of 1998, issued by then Philippine President Joseph Ejercito Estrada, the first Monday of December of every year was designated as Mother's Day and Father's Day. This Proclamation expressly repealed Proclamation No. 266, series of 1988 issued by the late Pres. Corazon Cojuangco-Aquino.

In Singapore, Father's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June but is not a public holiday.[62]

Father's Day (Sinhala: පියවරුන්ගේ දිනය, Piyawarunge dhinaya; Tamil: தந்தையர் தினம், Thanthaiyar Thinam) is observed on the third Sunday of June. It is not a public holiday. Many schools hold special events to honor fathers.[63]

In Taiwan, Father's Day is not an official holiday, but is widely observed on August 8, the eighth day of the eighth month of the year. In Mandarin Chinese, the pronunciation of the number eight is bā, and the pronunciation is very similar to the character 爸 (bà), which means "Pa" or "dad". The eighth day of the eighth month (bā-bā) is a pun for dad (爸爸; bàba). The Taiwanese, therefore, sometimes refer to August 8 as "Bābā Holiday" as a pun for "Dad's Holiday" (爸爸節) or the more formal "Father's Day" (父親節).[64]

In Thailand, the birthday of the king, is set as Father's Day.[32] December 5 is the birthday of the late king Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX). Traditionally, Thais celebrate by giving their father or grandfather a canna flower (ดอกพุทธรักษา, Dok Buddha Raksa), which is considered a masculine flower; however, this is not as commonly practiced today. Thai people will wear yellow on this day to show respect for the late king, because yellow is the color of the day for Monday, the day King Bhumibol Adulyadej was born. Thais flood the Sanam Luang, a massive park in front of the palace, to watch the king give his annual speech, and often stay until the evening, when there is a national ceremony. Thais will light candles and show respect to the king by declaring their faith. This ceremony happens in almost every village in Thailand, and even overseas at Thai organizations.[65]

It first gained nationwide popularity in the 1980s as part of a campaign by Prime Minister Prem Tinsulanonda to promote Thailand's royal family.[32] Mother's Day is celebrated on the birthday of Queen Sirikit,[32] August 12.

In Turkey, Father's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday in June and is not a public holiday.[66]

In the United Arab Emirates, Father's Day is celebrated on June 21, generally coinciding with midsummer's day.[67]

In the Roman Catholic tradition, Fathers are celebrated on Saint Joseph's Day (commonly called the Feast of Saint Joseph), March 19, though in certain countries Father's Day has become a secular celebration.[68] It is also common for Catholics to honor their "spiritual father," their parish priest, on Father's Day.[69]

In Austria, Father's Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of June and it is not a public holiday.[70]

In Belarus Father's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June.[71]

In Belgium, Father's Day (Vaderdag) is celebrated on the second Sunday of June or 14 June, and it is not a public holiday. Except for Antwerp, where it's celebrated on March 19.[72]

In Bulgaria, Father's Day is celebrated on December 26 and it is not a public holiday. According to the Eastern Orthodox tradition, fathers are celebrated on Saint Joseph's Day - one day after Christmas.

In Croatia, according to the Roman Catholic tradition, fathers are celebrated on Saint Joseph's Day (Dan svetog Josipa), March 19. It is not a public holiday.

In Denmark, Father's Day (Fars dag) is celebrated on June 5.[16] It coincides with Constitution Day.

In Estonia, Father's day ("Isadepäev") is celebrated on the second Sunday of November. It is an established flag day and a national holiday.

In Finland, Father's Day (Finnish: Isänpäivä; Nynorsk: Fars dag) is celebrated on the second Sunday of November. It is an established flag day.

In France lighter manufacturer "Flaminaire" introduced the idea of father's day first in 1949 for commercial reasons. Director "Marcel Quercia" wanted to sell their lighter in France. In 1950, they introduced "la Fête des Pères", which would take place every third Sunday of June (following the American example). Their slogan « Nos papas nous l'ont dit, pour la fête des pères, ils désirent tous un Flaminaire » (Our daddies told us, for father's day, they all want a Flaminaire). In 1952, the holiday was officially decreed. A national father's day committee was set up to give a prize for fathers that deserved it most (originally, candidates were nominated by the social services of each town hall's/mayor's office); This complements "la Fête des Mères" (Mother's day) which was made official in France in 1928 and added to the calendar in Vichy in 1941.

Hiking tour on father's day with smaller wagons.

In Germany, Father's Day (Vatertag) is celebrated differently from other parts of the world.[73] It is always celebrated on Ascension Day (the Thursday forty days after Easter), which is a federal holiday. Regionally, it is also called men's day, Männertag, or gentlemen's day, Herrentag. It is a tradition for groups of males (young and old but usually excluding pre-teenage boys) to do a hiking tour with one or more smaller wagons, Bollerwagen, pulled by manpower. In the wagons are wine or beer bottles (according to the region) and traditional regional food, Hausmannskost. Many men use this holiday as an opportunity to get drunk.[73] According to the Federal Statistical Office of Germany, alcohol-related traffic accidents multiply by three on this day.[74] The tradition of Father's Day is especially prevalent in Eastern Germany.[73]

These traditions are probably rooted in Christian Ascension Day's processions to the farmlands, which has been celebrated since the 18th century.[75][76] Men would be seated in a wooden cart and carried to the village's plaza, and the mayor would award a prize to the father who had the most children, usually a big piece of ham.[75] In the late 19th century the religious component was progressively lost, especially in urban areas such as Berlin, and groups of men organized walking excursions with beer and ham.[75] By the 20th century, alcohol consumption had become a major part of the tradition.[75][77] Many people will take the following Friday off at work, and some schools are closed on that Friday as well; many people then use the resulting four-day-long weekend for a short vacation.

Athens, Syntagma Square, SYGAPA, 2004

In Greece, the idea was by SYGAPA association (divorced fathers) and his founder and President, professor, Dr Nicolas Spitalas in 2004 for introducing the father's role in society and in the schools. Following the France example "la Fête des Pères", it took place every third Sunday of June. Their slogan is: "J'aime mon papa, égalité parentale". This day was made official in Greece in 2010[78] and added to the calendar because of activism of the members of SYGAPA INTERNATIONAL.

In Hungary, Father's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June and is not a public holiday.

In Ireland, Father's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June and is not a public holiday.

In Italy, according to the Roman Catholic tradition, Father's Day is celebrated on Saint Joseph's Day, commonly called the Feast of Saint Joseph (Festa di San Giuseppe), March 19. It was a public holiday until 1977.

In Latvia, Father's Day (Tēvu diena) is celebrated on the second Sunday of September and is not a public holiday. In Latvia people did not always celebrate this day because of the USSR's influence with its own holidays. This day in Latvia was 'officially born' in 2008 when it was celebrated and marked in the calendar for the first time on September 14 (second September Sunday) to promote the idea that man as the father must be satisfied and proud of his family and children, also, the father is important to gratitude and loving words from his family for devoted to continuous altruistic concerns. Because this day is new to the country it does not have established unique traditions, but people borrow ideas from other country's Father's Day traditions to congratulate fathers in Latvia.

In Lithuania, Father's Day (Tėvo diena) is celebrated on the first Sunday of June and is a public holiday.

Malta has followed the international trend and celebrates Father’s Day on the third Sunday in June. As in the case of Mother’s Day, the introduction of Father’s Day celebrations in Malta was encouraged by Frans H Said (Uncle Frans of the children’s radio programmes). The first mention of Father’s Day was in June 1977,[79] and the day is now part of the local events calendar. (The Times of Malta 11 June 2017) ( Il-Mument - Maltese newspaper- 18 June 2017)

In the Netherlands (including its constituent countries in the Caribbean), Father's Day (Vaderdag) is celebrated on the third Sunday of June and is not a public holiday. Traditionally, as on Mother's Day, fathers get breakfast in bed made by their children and families gather together and have dinner, usually at the grandparents' house. In recent years, families also started having dinner out, and as on Mother's Day, it is one of the busiest days for restaurants. At school, children handcraft presents for their fathers. Consumer goods companies have all sorts of special offers for fathers: socks, ties, electronics, suits, and men's healthcare products.

In Norway, Father's day (Farsdag), is celebrated on the second Sunday of November. It is not a public holiday.

In Poland, Father's Day (Polish: Dzień Ojca) is celebrated on June 23 and is not a public holiday.

Father's Day (Dia do Pai) is celebrated on March 19 (see Roman Catholic tradition below) in Portugal. It is not a bank holiday.

The Law instituting the Father's day celebration in Romania passed on September 29, 2009 and stated that Father's day will be celebrated annually on the second Sunday of May. First time it was celebrated on May 9th 2010. This year it will be celebrated on 10 May 2020. The next dates this celebration will take place are: 9 May 2021, 8 May 2022, 14 May 2023, 12 May 2024, 11 May 2025, 10 May 2026 and 9 May 2027. .[15]

Russia continues the Soviet Union's tradition of celebrating Defender of the Fatherland Day on 23 February. It is usually called "Man's Day" and it is considered the Russian equivalent of Father's Day.[80]

In Slovakia, Father's Day (Slovak: deň otcov) is celebrated on the third Sunday of June. It is not a public holiday.

Father's Day (El Día del Padre) is observed on the feast day of Saint Joseph, which is March 19.[81] It is celebrated as a public holiday in some regions of Spain.[82]

In Sweden, Father's day (Fars dag), is celebrated on the second Sunday of November but is not a public holiday.

In Ukraine, Father's Day (Den Batka) is celebrated on the third Sunday of June. It is not a public holiday.

A Royal Navy Officer hugs his daughter after returning from a long deployment on HMS Chiddingfold

In the United Kingdom, Father's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June.[28] The day does not have a long tradition; The English Year (2006) states that it entered British popular culture "sometime after the Second World War, not without opposition".[83] Singer songwriter Jon Barker also contributed to the UK's Father's Day culture by releasing the now popular song "Thank you for being my dad". The song reached charts around the world and is widely played at funerals each year around the world.

In Canada, Father's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June and is not a public holiday. Father's Day typically involves spending time with one's father or the father figures in one's life. Small family gatherings and the giving of gifts may be part of the festivities organized for Father's Day.

In Costa Rica, the Unidad Social Cristiana party presented a bill to change the celebration of Father's Day from the third Sunday of June to March 19, the day of Saint Joseph.[84] That was to give tribute to this saint, who gave his name to the capital of the country San José, Costa Rica, so family heads will be able to celebrate Father's Day at the same time as the Feast of Saint Joseph the Worker.[19] The official date is still the third Sunday of June.

In Haiti, Father's Day (Fête des pères) is celebrated on the last Sunday of June and is not a public holiday. Fathers are recognized and celebrated on this day with cards, gifts, breakfast, lunch brunch or early Sunday dinner; whether enjoying the day at the beach or mountains, spending family time or doing favourite activities.

Children exclaim "bonne fête papa", while everyone wishes all fathers "bonne Fête des Pères" (Happy Father's Day).

In Mexico, Father's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June and is not a public holiday. Father's Day typically involves spending time with one's father or the father figures in one's life. Small family gatherings and the giving of gifts may be part of the festivities organized for Father's Day.

In Trinidad and Tobago, Father's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday in June and is not a public holiday.

In the US, Father's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June.[85] Typically, families gather to celebrate the father figures in their lives. In recent years, retailers have adapted to the holiday by promoting greeting cards and gifts such as electronics and tools. Schools (if in session) and other children's programs commonly have activities to make Father's Day gifts.

Two daughters at a restaurant with their father to celebrate Father's Day, 2019

In Australia, Father's Day is celebrated on the first Sunday of September, which is the first Sunday of spring in Australia, and is not a public holiday. At school, children often handcraft a present for their fathers. Consumer goods companies have all sorts of special offers for fathers: socks, ties, electronics, suits, and men's healthcare products. Most families present fathers with gifts and cards, and share a meal to show appreciation, much like Mother's Day.

YMCA Victoria continues the tradition of honouring the role fathers and father figures play in parenting through the annual awarding of Local Community Father of the Year in 32 municipalities in Victoria. The Father's Day Council of Victoria annually recognises fathers in the Father of the Year Award.[86]

In New Zealand, Fathers' Day is celebrated on the first Sunday of September and it is not a public holiday. Fathers' Day was first observed at St Matthew's Church, Auckland on 14 July 1929[87] and first appeared in commercial advertising the following year.[88] By 1931 other churches had adopted the day and in 1935 much of Australia moved to mark the day at the beginning of September.[89] New Zealand followed this, with a Wellington advert in 1937[90] and a Christchurch Salvation Army service in 1938.[91]

In Samoa, Father's Day is celebrated on the second Sunday in August, and is a recognised national holiday on the Monday following.

Father's Day in Argentina is celebrated on the third Sunday of June.

Attempts have been made to change the date to August 24, to commemorate the day on which the "Father of the Nation", José de San Martín. became a father.[17] In 1953, the proposal to celebrate Father's Day in all educational establishments on August 24, in honor of José de San Martín, was raised to the General Direction of Schools of Mendoza Province. The day was celebrated for the first time in 1958, on the third Sunday of June, but it was not included in the school calendars due to pressure from several groups.[92]

Schools in the Mendoza Province continued to celebrate Father's Day on August 24, and in 1982, the provincial governor passed a law declaring Father's Day in the province to be celebrated on that day.[92]

In 2004, a proposal to change the date to August 24 was presented to the Argentine Chamber of Deputies as a single, unified project.

In Brazil Father's Day (Dia dos Pais, in Portuguese) is celebrated three months after Mother's Day, on the second Sunday of August. Publicist Sylvio Bhering picked the day in honor of Saint Joachim, patron of fathers. While it is not an official holiday (see Public holidays in Brazil), it is widely observed and typically involves spending time with and giving gifts to one's father or father figure.

In Colombia, Father's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June.

In Peru, Father's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June and is not a public holiday. People usually give a present to their fathers and spend time with him mostly during a family meal.

In Venezuela, Father's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June and is not a public holiday. Traditionally, as on Mother's Day, families gather together and have lunch, usually at the grandparents' house. In recent years, families also started having lunch out, and as on Mother's Day, it is one of the busiest days for restaurants. At school, children handcraft their present for their fathers. Consumer goods companies have all sorts of special offers for fathers: electronics, suits, and men's healthcare products.

• Larossa, Ralph (1997). The Modernization of Fatherhood: A Social and Political History. University of Chicago Press. pp. 90, 170–192. ISBN 0-226-46904-2. Ann Jarvis OR Anna Jarvis mother's day.
• Myers, Robert J.; the editors of Hallmark Cards (1972). Celebrations: The Complete Book of American Holidays. Doubleday & Company. pp. 184–187. ISBN 0-385-07677-0.
• Schmidt, Leigh Eric (1997). Consumer Rites: The Buying and Selling of American Holidays. Princeton University Press. pp. 275–292. ISBN 0-691-01721-2.