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 | 111+ countries |
| Type | Worldwide |
| Significance | Honors fathers and fatherhood |
| Date | Varies by country |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Related to |
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Father's Day is a special holiday that celebrates fathers and fatherhood. It's a day to honor the important role fathers play in our lives and in society. This day is like Mother's Day, which celebrates mothers, and other holidays that honor family members.
Father's Day is celebrated on different dates around the world. Each country often has its own ways of honoring fathers. For example, in some Catholic countries in Europe, it has been celebrated on March 19 as Saint Joseph's Day for a very long time. In the United States, Father's Day started in Washington in 1910, thanks to Sonora Smart Dodd.
Some countries, like Lithuania, Estonia, and Samoa, recognize Father's Day as a public holiday. In South Korea, it's celebrated as Parents' Day. Sikhs celebrate Father's Day on December 29, which is the birthday of Guru Gobind Singh.
Contents
History of Father's Day
How Father's Day Started
The idea of celebrating fathers goes way back! In Catholic parts of Europe, people have honored fathers since at least 1508. This celebration usually happens on March 19, which is the feast day of Saint Joseph. He is seen as a father figure in Christian traditions. This tradition was brought to the Americas by people from Spain and Portugal. The Catholic Church really supported celebrating fatherhood on St. Joseph's Day, especially because of the Franciscans.
In the Coptic Orthodox Church, fathers are also celebrated on Saint Joseph's Day, but on July 20. This Coptic celebration might be as old as the fifth century!
The idea of a worldwide Father's Day was discussed for a while. In 1908, Grace Golden Clayton suggested a day to remember men who died in a mining accident in the US. Later, in 1909, Sonora Smart Dodd pushed for a Father's Day. She and her five brothers were raised by their father alone. After going to a Mother's Day church service, she wanted to create a similar day for fathers. She convinced the Spokane Ministerial Association to celebrate Father's Day.
Besides Father's Day, many countries also celebrate International Men's Day on November 19. This day honors both men and boys.
Why "Father's Day" is Spelled That Way
The name "Father's Day" uses an apostrophe before the 's' (Father's) because it means "the day belonging to a father." It's like "Mother's Day." In 1912, Anna Jarvis, who founded Mother's Day, made sure that "Mother's" was spelled as a singular possessive. She wanted each family to honor their own mother, not all mothers in the world. The same idea applies to Father's Day.
When is Father's Day?
Father's Day is celebrated on many different dates around the world. Here is a list of when it is observed:
| Gregorian calendar | ||
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| Occurrence | Dates | Country |
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Soldier's Day |
18 March |  Mongolia |
| 19 March | ||
| 8 May |
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Second Sunday in May |
12 May 2024 |
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Third Sunday in May |
19 May 2024 |
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9 May 2024 |
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First Sunday in June |
2 June 2024 |
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| 5 June |
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Second Sunday in June |
9 June 2024 |
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Third Sunday in June |
16 June 2024 |
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| 17 June | ||
| 19 June | ||
| 21 June | ||
| 23 June | ||
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Last Sunday in June |
30 June 2024 |
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Second Sunday in July |
14 July 2024 |
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Last Sunday in July |
28 July 2024 |
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| 8 August | ||
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Second Sunday in August |
11 August 2024 |
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Last Monday in August |
26 August 2024 |
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First Sunday in September |
1 September 2024 |
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Second Sunday in September |
8 September 2024 |
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First Sunday in October |
6 October 2024 |
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| Third Sunday in October | 20 October 2024 19 October 2025 |
 Russia |
| 21 October |  Belarus |
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Second Sunday in November |
10 November 2024 |
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| 12 November | ||
| 5 December |
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| 26 December |  Bulgaria |
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| Hebrew calendar | ||
| Occurrence | Equivalent Gregorian dates | Country |
| 30 Shevat | Between 30 January and 1 March 9 February 2024 |
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| Hindu calendar | ||
| 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 | ||
| Occurrence | Equivalent Gregorian dates | Country/territory |
| 25 January 2024 13 January 2025 2 January 2026 22 December 2026 |
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| Burmese calendar | ||
| Occurrence | Equivalent Gregorian dates | Country/territory |
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Full Moon Day of Tabaung |
in February or March 24–25 March 2024 |
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Father's Day Traditions Around the World
African Celebrations
- In Algeria, Morocco, and Nigeria, Father's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday in June.
- Egypt and Sudan celebrate Father's Day on June 21.
- Kenya and South Africa also celebrate on the third Sunday of June. These are not public holidays.
- Mozambique celebrates Father's Day on March 19.
- In South Sudan, Father's Day is on the last Monday of August. This was made official by President Salva Kiir Mayardit in 2012.
Asian Celebrations
- In Bangladesh, Father's Day is on the third Sunday of June. It has become more popular recently, especially with younger generations. Families might have cake or give small gifts.
- China doesn't have an official Father's Day, but some people celebrate on the third Sunday of June, like in the United States. Hong Kong and Macau also celebrate on this day.
- India celebrates Father's Day on the third Sunday of June, influenced by Western traditions. It's popular in big cities. Children often give gifts like cards or electronics.
- Indonesia celebrates Father's Day on November 12. It was first declared in 2006.
- In Iran, Father's Day used to be on the birthday of Reza Shah. After 1979, it changed to the 13th of Rajab, which is the birthday of Ali bin Abi Talib.
- Israel celebrates Father's Day as part of Family Day on 30 Shevat.
- In Japan, Father's Day (chichi no hi) is on the third Sunday of June. People often give gifts like sake or fashion items.
- Kazakhstan celebrates Defender of the Fatherland Day on May 7. It's seen as a day to honor men, including fathers.
- Malaysia celebrates Father's Day on the third Sunday of June.
- Mongolia started celebrating Father's Day on August 8, 2005.
- In Nepal, Hindus and Newars honor fathers on Kushe Aunsi, which is in late August or early September. This day is also called Buwaako mukh herne din, meaning "day for looking at father's face." Children give gifts and receive blessings.
- Pakistan celebrates Father's Day on the third Sunday of June. It's not a public holiday.
- In the Philippines, Father's Day is officially on the third Sunday of June.
- Singapore celebrates Father's Day on the third Sunday of June.
- South Korea celebrates Parents' Day on May 8. It's a day to honor both parents and show respect.
- Sri Lanka observes Father's Day on the third Sunday of June. Schools often have special events.
- In Taiwan, Father's Day is widely celebrated on August 8. The number eight sounds like "bā," which is similar to "dad" (bà) in Mandarin Chinese. So, August 8 is like "Dad's Day."
- Thailand celebrates Father's Day on December 5, which is the birthday of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. It's a national public holiday. People often wear yellow to show respect for the king.
- The United Arab Emirates celebrates Father's Day on June 21.
European Celebrations
- In the Roman Catholic tradition, fathers are celebrated on Saint Joseph's Day, March 19.
- Austria celebrates Father's Day (Vatertag) on the second Sunday of June.
- Belarus celebrates Father's Day on October 21.
- In Belgium, Father's Day (Vaderdag/Fête des Pères) is on the second Sunday of June, except in Antwerp where it's March 19.
- Bulgaria celebrates Father's Day on December 26, following an Eastern Orthodox tradition.
- Croatia celebrates Father's Day on March 19, Saint Joseph's Day.
- In Denmark, Father's Day (Fars dag) is on June 5, the same day as Constitution Day.
- Estonia celebrates Father's Day (Isadepäev) on the second Sunday of November. It's a national holiday.
- Finland celebrates Father's Day (Isänpäivä) on the second Sunday of November.
- In France, Father's Day (la Fête des Pères) was started by a lighter company in 1949 for business reasons. It became official in 1952 and is celebrated on the third Sunday of June.
- In Germany, Father's Day (Vatertag) is celebrated on Ascension Day, which is 40 days after Easter. It's a federal holiday. Groups of men often go on hiking tours with wagons filled with food and drinks.
- Greece celebrates Father's Day on the third Sunday of June.
- Hungary celebrates Father's Day on the third Sunday of June.
- Iceland celebrates Father's Day on the second Sunday of November.
- In Italy, Father's Day (Festa di San Giuseppe) is on March 19. It used to be a public holiday.
- Latvia celebrates Father's Day (Tēvu diena) on the second Sunday of September. This tradition officially started in 2008.
- Lithuania celebrates Father's Day (Tėvo diena) on the first Sunday of June, and it is a public holiday.
- Malta celebrates Father's Day on the third Sunday in June.
- In the Netherlands, Father's Day (Vaderdag) is on the third Sunday of June. Children often make breakfast in bed for their fathers.
- Norway celebrates Father's Day (Farsdag) on the second Sunday of November.
- Poland celebrates Father's Day (Dzień Ojca) on June 23.
- Portugal celebrates Father's Day (Dia do Pai) on March 19.
- Romania celebrates Father's Day on the second Sunday of May. This became law in 2009.
- Russia celebrates Defender of the Fatherland Day on February 23, which is seen as a "Man's Day." In 2021, an official Father's Day was also set for the third Sunday of October.
- Slovakia celebrates Father's Day (deň otcov) on the third Sunday of June.
- Spain celebrates Father's Day (El Día del Padre) on March 19.
- Sweden celebrates Father's Day (Fars dag) on the second Sunday of November.
- Turkey celebrates Father's Day on the third Sunday in June.
- In Ukraine, Father's Day (Den Batka) is on the third Sunday of June.
- In the United Kingdom, Father's Day is on the third Sunday of June. It became popular after World War II.
North American Celebrations
- Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Cuba, and Puerto Rico celebrate Father's Day on the third Sunday of June.
- In Canada, Father's Day (Fête des Pères) is on the third Sunday of June. Families often gather and give gifts.
- Costa Rica officially celebrates Father's Day on the third Sunday of June.
- In Haiti, Father's Day (Fête des pères) is on the last Sunday of June. Families celebrate with gifts and special meals.
- Mexico celebrates Father's Day on the third Sunday of June. Families spend time together and give gifts.
- Trinidad and Tobago celebrates Father's Day on the third Sunday of June.
- In the United States, Father's Day is on the third Sunday of June. Families gather to celebrate fathers, and children often make gifts at school.
Oceanian Celebrations
- In Australia, Father's Day is on the first Sunday of September. Families give gifts, cards, and share meals. The idea became popular in the 1930s.
- New Zealand celebrates Father's Day on the first Sunday of September. It was first observed in 1929.
- In Samoa, Father's Day is on the second Sunday in August and is a national holiday.
- Fiji celebrates Father's Day in September, usually on the first or second Sunday.
South American Celebrations
- In Argentina, Father's Day is on the third Sunday of June. There have been attempts to change the date to August 24, to honor José de San Martín, who is known as the "Father of the Nation."
- Bolivia celebrates Father's Day (Día del padre) on March 19. People usually give presents and spend time with their fathers.
- In Brazil, Father's Day (Dia dos Pais) is on the second Sunday of August. It's a widely observed day for spending time with fathers and giving gifts.
- Chile officially celebrates Father's Day (Día del padre) on June 19.
- In Colombia, Father's Day (Día del padre) is on the third Sunday of June.
- Paraguay celebrates Father's Day with traditional Paraguayan food like chipa and sopa paraguaya.
- In Peru, Father's Day is on the third Sunday of June. Families often celebrate with a special meal.
Images for kids
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Hiking tour on Father's Day with smaller wagons in Germany.
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A 2004 banner in Athens, Greece, saying "Daddy I love you."
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A Royal Navy Officer hugs his daughter after returning from a long trip.
See also
In Spanish: Día del Padre para niños
