Father’s Day – History, Date, and Ways to Celebrate
The months of June may be identified with hot summers but this month is also known for a day that brings warmth to father-son and father-daughter relations. Yes, we talk about Father’s Day. It is the day that every son and daughter await throughout the year. They meet their father, wish them a happy Father’s Day and do everything to make this day special for him. Let us try to understand more
about this day.
When is Father’s Day 2022?
The Father’s Day 2021 date is June 20. Last year in 2020 it was on June 20. In 2019 the Father’s Day was on June 16. 2021. Here you can spot a trend. All these dates are on the third Sunday of June. Father’s Day falls on the third Sunday of June irrespective of the date. International Father’s Day will be celebrated on 20 June 2021 in most of the countries around the world. However, all countries don’t celebrate it on the same date.
Is Father’s Day a Public Holiday?
Father’s Day has not been declared as a federal holiday in the United States. As it is celebrated on Sunday which is a weekend most of the businesses operate as per their normal schedule.
History of Father’s Day
Most people with an interest in history would like to know the history behind Father’s Day. Here we list some of the important milestones in its history.
It was not exactly Father’s Day but on 5th July 1908, a church in West Virginia held a Sunday sermon to honor fathers. The event was held to remember 362 people who lost their lives the previous year due to a coal mine explosion. However, it was a one-off event that was not repeated the next year.
In 1909, Sonora Smart Dodd, the daughter of a civil war veteran, came up with the idea of Father’s Day. She was attending a Mother’s Day sermon at the Central Methodist Church when she was struck by an idea that why there is no such day for fathers. She was quite impressed by her father who single-handedly raised her and her five brothers as her mother had died when she was a child. She went from pillar to post to gather support. She contacted local churches, YMCA, government authorities, and businesses to lend support to this cause. Her efforts paid off and on 19 June 1710 Washington state became the first state to celebrate Father’s Day.
She wanted to observe Father’s Day on June 5, but due to issues related to planning, the day was shifted to June 19, 1910.
Now Sonora Smart Dodd is called the mother of Father’s Day.
Its popularity got further momentum and in 1916 President Woodrow Wilson chooses this day to unfurl a flag in Spokane using telegraph signals from Washington DC.
After the idea of celebrating Father’s Day started getting popular, two National Father’s Day committees – Virginia (1921) and New York (1936) – were formed.
In 1924, Another US President Calvin Coolidge requested states to observe this day.
In the decades of 1920 and 1930, the United States saw a movement that asked to abolish both Father’s Day and Mother’s Day and observe a single parent’s day instead. But this movement couldn’t succeed.
In 1957, a US senator named Margaret Chase Smith brought a bill saying either we recognized both mother’s and father’s date or derecognize both.
In 1966, president Lyndon Johnson through an announcement declared the third Sunday of June as Father’s Day.
In 1972, president Richard Nixon made it a permanent observance.
As you are planning to celebrate Father’s Day 2021 in June 2020 you should have a good understanding of its history.
Countries Celebrating Father’s Day on Different Dates
Father’s Day is celebrated in Australia, Fiji, New Guinea, and New Zealand on the first
Sunday of September. So, 2021 Father’s Day will be observed on 5 September in
these countries.
Father’s Day in Austria and Belgium will be observed on 18 June 2021.
Japan also observes it on the third Sunday of June. So, this year the country will
celebrate it Father’s Day 2021 on June 20.
Samoa and Brazil will be observing Father’s Day on August 8.
Some Scandinavian countries that include Finland, Iceland, Estonia, Norway, and Sweden celebrate this day on the second Sunday of November. So, they will be celebrating 2021 Father’s Day on November 4.
In Luxemburg, it is celebrated on the first Sunday of October. So, Father’s Day this year will be celebrated on 3rd October.
Argentina observes it on August 24.
Seven countries celebrate Father’s Day on March 19. These countries are Andorra, Bolivia, Portugal Honduras, Italy, Spain, and Liechtenstein.
Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and Uganda celebrate Father’s Day every 21 June.
In Taiwan, Father’s Day is celebrated on August 8. In the local language, it is called Baba Jie that is August 8 Day.
In Uruguay, it is celebrated on the second Sunday in July. So, it will be observing Father’s Day 2021 on
11 July.
El Salvador and Guatemala observe this day on 17 June every year.
The date of Father’s Day in countries like Poland and Nicaragua is June 23 (annual).
Russia celebrates this day on February 23 every year while Germany celebrates it on
Ascension Day.
Romania and Togo celebrate it on the second and third Sunday of May respectively.
Lithuania celebrates it on the first Sunday of June while Haiti celebrates it on last
Sunday of the same month.
The Dominican Republic celebrates it on the last Sunday in July. So, for them, 2021
Father’s Day will be on 25 July.
How Much Americans Will Spend on Father’s Day?
National Retail Federation (NRF) has been conducting Father’s Day survey with Prosper Insight & Analytics for close to two decades. As per their predictions for 2021, Americans will spend $174.10 on average and the total expected spending will be $20.1B. As the situation has somewhat returned to normalcy due to vaccination, many of them may plan vacations. However, clothes, gift cards, and
electronics remain to be the most popular gifts for Father’s Day 2021.
How is Father’s Day Celebrated in America?
What started with the effort of Sonora Smart Dodd, Father’s Day has become one of the most celebrated events in the United States. The day is celebrated in a similar style in the US, the UK, and Canada.
Here
we try to understand how Father’s Day is celebrated in America.
People give gifts to their father on this occasion. These gifts are often based on their
likes and something that can improve their lives.
Giving happy Father’s Day cards are also in vogue.
Sons and daughters often spend quality time with each other.
People recognize the role of their father in their lives and bringing them up.
Some people honor their fathers in family gatherings.
People wear red roses to honor their father. They wear white roses if their father is
not alive.
You can also see some churches organizing Father’s Day service on the day. As it
falls on Sunday, it becomes part of the Sunday service.
There is a huge demand for happy Father’s Day greeting cards during this festival.
How is Father’s Day Celebrated in Other Countries?
While celebrations in most parts of the world take place at par with the United States but some countries around the world have their own traditions. Here, we take a look at unique traditions related to Father’s Day.
Australia and New Zealand
In Australia and New Zealand, Father’s Day is celebrated on the first day of spring which falls on the first Sunday of the month of September.
In Australia, there is a tradition of selecting father of the year. The award goes to a father who has appeared as a role model through his personal and professional qualities. The children have the option to nominate their fathers for this award.
So, if you are visiting Australia during September, you can have some glimpses of Father’s Day 2021 in Australia.
Brazil
In Brazil, children write letters and cards to thank their father or those who are father figures to them. Brazil celebrates this day in the honor of St. Joachim, the father of Mary. When it comes to food, eating meat is a tradition. You shouldn’t get surprised to see children taking their fathers to a nearby
barbeque.
Uruguay
Uruguay is known for its unique Father’s Day tradition. Here skeletons are hanged outside fathers’ doors. The skeleton is referred to as Padre Esqueleto. However, here also children greet their fathers and shower them with gifts.
South Africa
The way of celebrating Father’s Day in South Africa is the same as in the United States. Children gifts their fathers with cards and other items. Families love to go for outings. Children go fishing and if they are able to catch a fish, they serve it as dinner to the father. For travelers, South Africa could be an
ideal destination for Father Day 2021.
Spain, Portugal and Italy
In Spain, Portugal, and Italy, Father’s Day is celebrated on the feast of St. Joseph which falls on March 19. On this day children give gifts and cards to their parents.
Sweden, Norway and Iceland
Sweden, Norway and Iceland celebrate Father’s Day with gifts and spending time with their father. In Sweden, traditional breakfast is delivered to fathers while they are still in bed.
Germany
In Germany Father’s Day is named as Vatertag. Father’s Day shares it date with Ascension Day which comes 40 days after ester. It is celebrated on Thursday. So, 2021 Father’s Day in Germany will be celebrated on 13 May. In most states Friday is also a holiday so it becomes an extended weekend. All these things make an ideal condition for the occasion to be celebrated outdoors. Beer has been an integral part of several festivals in Germany and Father’s Day is no exception. You can spot fathers
hitting beer shops and celebrating throughout the day with a beer.
Thailand
In Thailand, Father’s Day is celebrated on King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s birthday. On this day, the present king of the country makes a speech which is broadcasted. The children give canna lilies to their fathers and grandfathers. Wearing yellow clothes on this day has been a tradition as it falls on Monday and
yellow is the color for this day. You can visit Thailand around Father’s Day 2021 to experience its beautiful traditions.
Russia
In Russia, Father’s Day started as a military celebration that later evolved into the modern Father’s Day. Since it is evolved from the military celebration, it is referred to as Defender of the Fatherland Day. On this day, parades are held that see huge participation of people. Women give gifts to their male friends.
France
In France, Father’s Day traces its roots from a company making lighters. It marketed the lighters in a way that it should be gifted to fathers with a habit of smoking. Gifting lighters on this day is no more in vogue and now gifts like drawings and other sophisticated gifts are being given on this occasion.
Mexico
Father’s Day in Mexico is filled with festivities. The day is celebrated by honoring fathers with gifts and making them feel special with food and music. In addition, a 21 kilometers race named Carrera Dia del Padre (Father’s Day Run) is held in Mexico City. It is not expected from your father to complete the
race but it shows concerns about his health and wellness. If you and your dad are in Mexico during Father’s Day 2021, taking part in this race could be a memorable experience.
Finland
In Finland, Father’s Day is celebrated by serving fathers breakfast, cake, and coffee in bed. The festival has been declared as flag day that means the national flag must be hoisted on all the official buildings. The day recognizes the role of the father in their children’s lives. There is an emphasis on offering him
homemade gifts.
Taiwan
In Taiwan, people greet their father, give gifts, and take him out for a dinner. If they are away from home, they call to greet their father. As Taiwan is a flourishing market for gift items, there is no dearth of Father’s Day gifting ideas.
India
In India, the day is celebrated in the US, the UK, and Canada. Here people greet their fathers verbally or happy Father’s Day messages and gifts. They also take them for lunch. Boys and girls are equally passionate about celebrating this day. The celebration mainly takes place in cities. The festival is yet to get popular in rural areas.
Nepal
In Nepal the ritual of Gokarna Aunsi, Kushe Aunsi or Buba ko mukh herne din is celebrated during the summer. This day is dedicated to father. Food, gifts, and prayers are offered to the dead father. Some people also visit Gokarna to worship lord shiva as respect to their parents.
Japan
Father’s Day in Japan holds the same importance as the UK and the US. On this day, children show gratitude and love to fathers for their roles in their lives. They express their love with gifts. Having a meal together has also been a tradition. As fish has always been part of the Japanese tradition, it is an
important ingredient in Father’s Day meals. Crab and prawn delicacies are very common on this day.
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