Father's Day facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Father's Day |
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Paternal Advice, painted by Josephus Laurentius Dyckmans
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| Observed by | 112+ countries |
| Type | Worldwide |
| Significance | Honors Fathers and Fatherhood |
| Date | Varies by country |
| Duration | All Day |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Related to |
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Father's Day is a special day to celebrate fathers and father figures. It's a time to appreciate their love, support, and the important role they play in our lives. This day is similar to other family celebrations like Mother's Day or Grandparents' Day.
Around the world, Father's Day is celebrated on different dates. Many countries have their own unique ways to honor dads. For example, in some European countries, it has been celebrated on March 19th as Saint Joseph's Day for a very long time. In the United States, the idea for Father's Day started in Washington in 1910, thanks to Sonora Smart Dodd. It's a public holiday in places like Lithuania and Samoa. In South Korea, it's part of Parents' Day.
Contents
The Story Behind Father's Day
Early Celebrations in Europe
For a long time, many Catholic countries in Europe have celebrated fathers on March 19th. This day is known as Saint Joseph's Day. Saint Joseph is seen as a father figure in Christian traditions. This special day was brought to the Americas by Spanish and Portuguese explorers.
The Coptic Orthodox Church also celebrates fatherhood on July 20th, which is their Saint Joseph's Day. This tradition might be as old as the fifth century!
How Father's Day Started in the United States
The idea for Father's Day in the United States began in 1908. A woman named Grace Golden Clayton suggested a day to remember men who had passed away in a mining accident.
Then, in 1909, Sonora Smart Dodd from Washington state had an idea. She and her five brothers were raised by their father alone. After attending a Mother's Day church service, she thought fathers deserved a special day too. She worked hard to convince local leaders to celebrate Father's Day. The first Father's Day in the U.S. was celebrated on June 19, 1910, in Washington state.
International Men's Day
Besides Father's Day, many countries also celebrate International Men's Day on November 19th. This day honors men and boys in general.
How We Spell "Father's Day"
You might wonder why it's "Father's Day" with an apostrophe before the 's'. It's spelled this way to show that it's a day for each family to honor their own father. This is similar to how Mother's Day is spelled.
When is Father's Day Celebrated?
Father's Day is celebrated on many different dates around the world. Here's a look at when some countries honor their fathers:
| Gregorian Calendar Dates | ||
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| When it Happens | Dates | Country |
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Soldier's Day |
18 March |  Mongolia |
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St. Joseph's Day |
19 March | |
| 8 May |
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Second Sunday in May |
11 May 2025 |
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Third Sunday in May |
18 May 2025 |
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29 May 2025 |
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First Sunday in June |
1 June 2025 |
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| 5 June |
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Second Sunday in June |
8 June 2025 |
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Third Sunday in June |
15 June 2025 |
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| 17 June | ||
| 19 June | ||
| 21 June | ||
| 23 June | ||
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Last Sunday in June |
29 June 2025 |
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Second Sunday in July |
13 July 2025 |
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Last Sunday in July |
27 July 2025 |
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| 8 August | ||
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Second Sunday in August |
10 August 2025 |
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Last Monday in August |
25 August 2025 |
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First Sunday in September |
7 September 2025 |
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Second Sunday in September |
14 September 2025 |
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First Sunday in October |
5 October 2025 |
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| Third Sunday in October | 19 October 2025 18 October 2026 |
 Russia |
| 21 October |  Belarus |
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Second Sunday in November |
9 November 2025 |
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| 12 November | ||
| 5 December |
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| 26 December |  Bulgaria |
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| Hebrew Calendar Dates | ||
| Occurrence | Equivalent Gregorian dates | Country |
| 30 Shevat | Between 30 January and 1 March 28 February 2025 |
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| Hindu Calendar Dates | ||
| Definition | Equivalent Gregorian dates | Country/territory |
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Kushe Aunsi (Bhadrapada Amavasya) |
Between 30 August and 30 September
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| Islamic Calendar Dates | ||
| Occurrence | Equivalent Gregorian dates | Country/territory |
| 13 January 2025 2 January 2026 22 December 2026 11 December 2027 |
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| Burmese Calendar Dates | ||
| Occurrence | Equivalent Gregorian dates | Country/territory |
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Full Moon Day of Tabaung |
in February or March 13 March 2025 |
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Father's Day Traditions Around the World
African Celebrations
- Algeria, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa: These countries celebrate Father's Day on the third Sunday of June.
- Egypt, Sudan, United Arab Emirates: Fathers are honored on June 21st.
- Mozambique: Father's Day is celebrated on March 19th.
- Seychelles: This country celebrates Father's Day on June 16th.
- South Sudan: Father's Day is celebrated on the last Monday of August. This tradition began in 2012.
Asian Celebrations
- Bangladesh: Celebrated on the third Sunday of June, this day has become more popular recently, especially among younger generations. Families often share meals or give small gifts.
- China: While there's no official Father's Day in mainland China, some people celebrate it on the third Sunday of June, following the U.S. tradition. Hong Kong and Macau also observe it on this day.
- India: Influenced by Western traditions, India celebrates Father's Day on the third Sunday of June, especially in larger cities. Children often give cards or small presents.
- Indonesia: Father's Day is celebrated on November 12th. This celebration is newer compared to Mother's Day in Indonesia.
- Iran: After 1979, Father's Day was changed to the 13th of Rajab, which is the birthday of Ali bin Abi Talib, an important figure in Shiite Islam.
- Israel: Father's Day is usually part of Family Day on 30 Shevat, but some celebrate it on May 1st.
- Japan: Celebrated on the third Sunday of June, common gifts include sake, fashion items, or special foods.
- Kazakhstan: While not officially Father's Day, Defender of the Fatherland Day on May 7th is often seen as a day to honor men, including fathers.
- Malaysia: Father's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June.
- Mongolia: The Mongolian Men's Association started celebrating Father's Day on August 8th, 2005.
- Nepal: Known as Kushe Aunsi, this day honors fathers in late August or early September, based on the lunar calendar. Children give gifts and receive blessings from their fathers.
- Pakistan: Celebrated on the third Sunday of June, efforts are made to promote active fatherhood on this day.
- Philippines: Officially celebrated on the third Sunday of June, this tradition is influenced by American culture.
- Singapore: Father's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June.
- South Korea: Parents' Day on May 8th honors both mothers and fathers. It's a day to show respect and gratitude to parents.
- Sri Lanka: Observed on the third Sunday of June, many schools hold special events for fathers.
- Taiwan: Father's Day is widely observed on August 8th. This date is special because the number eight, bā, sounds like "dad" (bàba) in Mandarin Chinese.
- Thailand: Celebrated on December 5th, which is the birthday of King Bhumibol Adulyadej. People often wear yellow to honor the King and participate in national ceremonies.
- Turkey: Father's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday in June.
European Celebrations
- Roman Catholic Tradition: Many Catholic countries celebrate fathers on Saint Joseph's Day, March 19th.
- Austria: Father's Day (Vatertag) is on the second Sunday of June.
- Belarus: Father's Day is celebrated on October 21st.
- Belgium: Celebrated on the second Sunday of June, except in Antwerp, where it's on March 19th.
- Bulgaria: Father's Day is celebrated on December 26th, following Eastern Orthodox tradition.
- Croatia: Fathers are celebrated on Saint Joseph's Day, March 19th.
- Denmark: Father's Day (Fars dag) is on June 5th, which is also Constitution Day.
- Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden: These Nordic countries celebrate Father's Day on the second Sunday of November.
- France: Father's Day (la Fête des Pères) is on the third Sunday of June. It became an official holiday in 1952.
- Germany: Father's Day (Vatertag) is celebrated on Ascension Day, which is a federal holiday. Groups of men often go on hiking tours with wagons of food and drinks.
- Greece: Father's Day is officially celebrated on the third Sunday of June.
- Hungary: Father's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June.
- Italy: Father's Day (Festa di San Giuseppe) is on March 19th, Saint Joseph's Day. It was a public holiday until 1977.
- Latvia: Father's Day (Tēvu diena) is on the second Sunday of September. This holiday was officially recognized in 2008.
- Lithuania: Father's Day (Tėvo diena) is a public holiday celebrated on the first Sunday of June.
- Malta: Father's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday in June.
- Netherlands: Father's Day (Vaderdag) is on the third Sunday of June. Children often make breakfast in bed for their fathers and families gather for dinner.
- Poland: Father's Day (Dzień Ojca) is celebrated on June 23rd.
- Portugal: Father's Day (Dia do Pai) is celebrated on March 19th.
- Romania: Father's Day is celebrated annually on the second Sunday of May.
- Russia: In 2021, Father's Day was established on the third Sunday of October. Russia also has Defender of the Fatherland Day on February 23rd, often seen as a "Man's Day."
- Slovakia: Father's Day (deň otcov) is celebrated on the third Sunday of June.
- Spain: Father's Day (El Día del Padre) is observed on Saint Joseph's Day, March 19th, and is a public holiday in some regions.
- Switzerland: Most of Switzerland celebrates on the first Sunday of June, but in Ticino, it's on March 19th.
- Ukraine: Father's Day (День батька) is celebrated on the third Sunday of June.
- United Kingdom: Father's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June. It became popular after the Second World War.
North American Celebrations
- Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago: Father's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June.
- Canada: Father's Day (Fête des Pères) is celebrated on the third Sunday of June. Families often spend time together and give gifts.
- Central America (except Belize): In countries like Costa Rica, the official date is the third Sunday of June, though some have proposed March 19th.
- Dominican Republic: Father's Day is celebrated on the last Sunday of July.
- Haiti: Father's Day (Fête des pères) is celebrated on the last Sunday of June. Families enjoy special meals and activities.
- Mexico: Father's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June. Families gather and give gifts to their fathers.
- United States: Father's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June. Families gather, and children often make gifts at school.
Oceanian Celebrations
- Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea: Father's Day is celebrated on the first Sunday of September. Families often give gifts, cards, and share meals. In Australia, the Father's Day Council honors distinguished fathers with an annual award.
- Samoa: Father's Day is celebrated on the second Sunday in August and is a national holiday on the following Monday.
South American Celebrations
- Argentina: Father's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June. There have been efforts to change the date to August 24th, to honor José de San Martín, known as the "Father of the Nation."
- Bolivia: Father's Day (Día del padre) is celebrated on March 19th (Saint Joseph Day).
- Brazil: Father's Day (Dia dos Pais) is celebrated on the second Sunday of August. It's a day for spending time with and giving gifts to fathers.
- Chile: Father's Day (Día del padre) is officially celebrated on June 19th.
- Colombia: Father's Day (Día del padre) is celebrated on the third Sunday of June. In 2022, it was moved to June 26th to avoid clashing with presidential elections.
- Paraguay: Father's Day is typically celebrated on the third Sunday of June with traditional family banquets.
- Peru: Father's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June. Families usually give gifts and share a meal.
See also
In Spanish: Día del Padre para niños
- List of films set around Father's Day
