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Father's Day
In most countries Father’s Day is a secular holiday which is contemporary to the 20th century and is a celebration of fatherhood. In some societies it is also the day to commemorate fathers and forefathers who have died.
Father’s Day is celebrated on a variety of dates around the world and typically involves giving cards and gifts to fathers and participation in family activities.
In the United States, the origins appear to lie in Fairmont, West Virginia where in 1908 a Father’s Day celebration was held in a local Methodist Church. The inspiration is not known, but Mother’s Day had only recently been celebrated in nearby Grafton, although the probable trigger was a mine explosion some months earlier in which some 361 men perished, many of them fathers. Other initiatives to establish the day in the US took place in various locations during the early 20th century.
In 1966, President Johnson made Father’s Day a holiday to be celebrated on the 3rd Sunday in June in the US.
Around the world Father’s Day takes on differing guises, but all with the same theme. In some countries it forms part of a Parents’ Day and in others it is linked to other celebrations:
In Austria, Father’s Day is celebrated on the second Sunday in June.
This day also marks the secular celebration of Father’s Day in Belgium (where the religious celebration is held on 19th March, when the Feast of St. Joseph is commemorated).
In Brazil, Father’s Day is celebrated on the second Sunday in August.
In Denmark, the celebration of Father’s Day takes place on 5th June which is also Constitution Day in that country.
In the Dominican Republic, Father’s Day is celebrated on the last Sunday in July.
In Germany, Father’s Day is celebrated on Ascension Day in the Christian calendar.In Iran, Father’s Day is celebrated on 13th Rajab each year, which is co-incidentally the celebration of the Birthday of Ali.
In Lithuania, Father’s Day is celebrated on the first Sunday in June.
In Russia it is actually a military holiday - Defender of the Fatherland Day - which is seen as being a men’s day.
In Taiwan Father’s Day is celebrated on 8th August each year. Interestingly, the literal word for father in Chinese is very similar to “ba ba” which means 8/8.
Several countries observe a Father’s Day celebration on 23rd June, including Nicaragua and Poland.
Many countries observe Father’s Day on the 3rd Sunday in June. These include: Argentina, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, France, Greece, Holland (the Netherlands), Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Japan, Macao, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Pakistan, Panama, the Philippines, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, Switzerland, Turkey, the UK, the USA, Venezuela and Zimbabwe.
Amongst the countries observing Father’s Day on the 1st Sunday in September are Australia and New Zealand. Many of the Pacific island communities also celebrate on this day.
Countries celebrating Father’s Day on the 2nd Sunday in November include Norway, Sweden, Finland and Estonia.
Father’s Day and St Joseph ("Father" of Jesus)
The celebration of Father’s Day on the 19th March each year is linked to the Feast of St. Joseph, a Roman Catholic festival.
On this day Italy, Spain and Portugal celebrate Father’s Day as a religious and secular festival.
In Belgium, the religious observance is on this day and the secular festival of Father’s Day is on the 2nd Sunday in June.
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