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Father's Day
Josephus Laurentius Dyckmans - Paternal advice.jpg
Paternal Advice
Josephus Laurentius Dyckmans
Observed by 111+ countries
Type Worldwide
Significance Honors fathers and fatherhood
Date Varies by country
Frequency Annual
Related to Children's Day, Siblings Day, Mother's Day, Parents' Day, Grandparents Day

Father's Day is a holiday of honoring fatherhood and paternal bonds, as well as the influence of fathers in society. In Catholic countries of Europe, it has been celebrated on March 19 as Saint Joseph's Day since the Middle Ages. In the United States, Father's Day was founded by Sonora Smart Dodd, and celebrated on the third Sunday of June for the first time in 1910. The day is held on various dates across the world, and different regions maintain their own traditions of honoring fatherhood.

Father's Day is a recognized public holiday in Lithuania and some parts of Spain and was regarded as such in Italy until 1977. It is a national holiday in Estonia, Samoa, and equivalently in South Korea, where it is celebrated as Parents' Day. The holiday complements similar celebrations honoring family members, such as Mother's Day, Siblings Day, and Grandparents' Day.

History

Early history

For centuries, the Eastern 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

This feast can fall between December 11 and 17. This feast includes the ancestors of the Mary, mother of Jesus and various 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, apparently on the initiative of the Franciscans.

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.

Whether to celebrate this day worldwide or not remained a debatable topic. In 1908, Grace Golden Clayton proposed the day to honor those men who had lost their lives in a mining accident in the US. Though it was not accepted then, in 1909 Sonora Smart Dodd, who along with her five brothers was raised by her father alone, after attending Mother's Day in a church, convinced the Spokane Ministerial Association to celebrate Father's Day worldwide.

In addition to Father's Day, International Men's Day is celebrated in many countries on November 19 in honor of both men and boys.

Dates

The following is a list of when Father's Day is celebrated, in order of date of observance.

Gregorian calendar
Occurrence Dates Country

Defender of the Fatherland Day

February 23  Belarus

Soldier's day

March 18

 Mongolia
March 19


May 7

 Kazakhstan

May 8

 South Korea (Parents' Day)

Second Sunday in May

May 14, 2023
May 12, 2024
May 11, 2025

 Romania

Third Sunday in May

May 21, 2023
May 19, 2024
May 18, 2025

 Tonga

First Sunday in June

Jun 4, 2023
Jun 2, 2024
Jun 1, 2025

 Lithuania (Tėvo diena)
 Switzerland

June 5

 Denmark (also Constitution Day)

Second Sunday in June

Jun 11, 2023
Jun 9, 2024
Jun 8, 2025

Third Sunday in June

Jun 18, 2023
Jun 16, 2024
Jun 15, 2025
Jun 21, 2026

June 17

June 21

June 23

Last Sunday in June

Jun 25, 2023
Jun 30, 2024
Jun 29, 2025

 Haiti

Second Sunday in July

Jul 9, 2023
Jul 14, 2024
Jul 13, 2025

 Uruguay

Last Sunday in July

Jul 30, 2023
Jul 28, 2024
Jul 27, 2025

 Dominican Republic

August 8

 Taiwan

Second Sunday in August

Aug 13, 2023
Aug 11, 2024
Aug 10, 2025


Last Monday in August

Aug 28, 2023
Aug 26, 2024
Aug 25, 2025

 South Sudan

First Sunday in September

Sep 3, 2023
Sep 1, 2024
Sep 7, 2025

Second Sunday in September

Sep 10, 2023
Sep 8, 2024
Sep 14, 2025

 Latvia

First Sunday in October

Oct 1, 2023
Oct 6, 2024
Oct 5, 2025

 Luxembourg

Third Sunday in October Oct 15, 2023

Oct 20, 2024
Oct 19, 2025

 Russia

Second Sunday in November

Nov 12, 2023
Nov 10, 2024
Nov 9, 2025

November 12

 Indonesia

December 5

 Thailand (The birthday of King Bhumibol)

December 26  Bulgaria
Hindu calendar
Definition Sample dates Country/territory

Bhadrapada Amavasya
(Gokarna Aunsi)

Between August 30 and September 30


 Nepal

Islamic calendar
Occurrence Sample dates Country/territory

13 Rajab, Ali Ibn Abi Talib birthday

Burmese calendar
Occurrence Sample dates Country/territory

Full Moon Day of Tabaung

February / March


 Myanmar (Father's Day)

FathersDayDateMap
Map of dates when Father's Day is celebrated

African traditions

Algeria

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

Egypt

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

Kenya

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

Morocco

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

Mozambique

In Mozambique, Father's Day is observed on March 19 every year.

Nigeria

In Nigeria, the third Sunday in June is the dedicated day to celebrate Father's Day.

Seychelles

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

South Africa

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

South Sudan

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).

Sudan

In Sudan, Father's Day (عيد الأب), is celebrated on June 21.

Asian traditions

Bangladesh

In Bangladesh there is no historical tradition of celebrating Father's Day (Bangla: বাবা/আব্বু দিবস, Baba/abbu dibosh) and has been popularized by Western influences in the country. It is celebrated on the third Sunday of June, and is not a public holiday. Father's Day was not very popular and had been made more widespread by the Millennial and Generation Z communities all over the country through social media in the recent times. Even though, many religious families do not celebrate it, it is more widespread than ever. There is a popular phrase used by many parents including fathers, which is "Every day is father/mother's day so you shall love your parents everyday." Most people just wish their father, but many people from big cities go to a restaurant to celebrate and many even have cake. While many others cut cake at home or order food online. Some children may give small gifts to their father.

China

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.

India

Father's Day is not an original custom of India but is rather followed by the influence of the western world. It is observed on the third Sunday of June. This event is not a public holiday. The day is usually celebrated only in larger cities like Hyderabad, Chennai, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, New Delhi, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Pune and others. It is a huge holiday in the North Eastern state of Nagaland where prayers are held in church on Sunday Services. After this day was first observed in the United States in 1908 and gradually gained popularity, Indian metropolitan cities, much later, followed suit by recognizing this event. In India, the day is usually celebrated with children giving gifts like greeting cards, electronic gadgets, shirts, gold necklace, coffee mugs or books to their fathers.

Popular story culture

Father's Day has been related with a number of stories in India to mark the importance of fathers' love. Stories relate to the emotional feelings of son and father's mind on how they feel about each other and by the time son realises his mistake its too late.

Indonesia

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 Surakarta 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. Google also created its doodle for Indonesia in 2019 and 2020.

Israel

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 Labor Day.

Japan

In Japan, Father's Day (Japanese: 父の日) 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.

Kazakhstan

Since 2012, Kazakhstan celebrates Defender of the Fatherland Day (Kazakh: [Отан Қорғаушы күні] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help)) 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 honoring men so it is vaguely a celebration of fathers.

Korea

In South Korea, Parents' Day (Korean: 어버이날) is celebrated on May 8 and is not a public holiday. Setting Parents' Day as a national holiday and holding a pan-national event is intended to inherit and develop traditional ethical standards such as filial piety and senior citizens' ideology. Regardless of age or gender, this day is also an opportunity to reaffirm that traditional filial piety is a crucial norm and cultural value in modern society. The ceremony to mark Parents' Day as an anniversary and put on carnations stems from a Christian culture. As Western religions and cultures entered, this holiday, which was introduced together, became the most traditional holiday combined with Confucian filial piety in the process of establishing itself.

Malaysia

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

Mongolia

The Mongolian Men's Association began the celebration of Father's Day on August 8 in 2005.

Nepal

The Nepalese Hindu population as well as Newar population (natives of Kathmandu valley) in Nepal honors fathers on the day of kuse aunsi, which occurs in late August or early September, depending on the year, since it depends on the lunar calendar. Newer generation has mistakenly related "kuse aunsi" celebration with the Western-inspired celebration of Father's Day that was imported into the country is always celebrated on the same day as Gokarna Aunsi.

The rest of the population has also begun to celebrate the Gokarna Aunsi day It is commonly known as Abu ya Khwa Swoyegu in Nepal Bhasa or Nepali: Buwaako mukh herne din (Nepali: बुवाको मुख हेर्ने दिन). 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 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.

Pakistan

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. Father's Day is not a public holiday in Pakistan.

Philippines

In the Philippines, Father's Day is officially celebrated every third Sunday of June according to a recent presidential proclamation, 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.

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.

Singapore

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

Sri Lanka

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

Taiwan

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 , and the pronunciation is very similar to the character (), which means "pa" or "dad". The eighth day of the eighth month (bā-bā) is a pun for dad (爸爸; bàba). Taiwan, 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).

Thailand

In Thailand, the birthday of the king, is set as Father's Day. 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 (Thai: ดอกพุทธรักษา), 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.

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

United Arab Emirates

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

European traditions

Roman Catholicism

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. It is also common for Catholics to honor their "spiritual father", their parish priest, on Father's Day.

Austria

In Austria, Father's Day (Vatertag) is celebrated on the second Sunday of June and it is not a public holiday.

Belarus

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

Belgium

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

Bulgaria

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.

Croatia

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.

Denmark

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

Estonia

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

Finland

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

France

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.

Germany

Hiking tour on father's day
Hiking tour on Father's Day with smaller wagons.

In Germany, Father's Day (Vatertag) is celebrated differently from other parts of the world. It is always celebrated on Ascension Day (the Thursday forty days after Easter), which is a federal holiday. Regionally, it is also called gentlemen's day, Herrentag. It is a tradition for groups of males (young and old but usually excluding pre-teenage boys) to go on a hiking tour on this day.

Greece

Baba s'agapo sygapa
A 2004 outdoor banner at Syntagma Square, Athens, Greece, with the message "Μπαμπά Σ'αγαπώ", i.e. "Daddy I love you".

In Greece, Father's Day (η γιορτή του πατέρα) is officially celebrated on the third Sunday of June. The SYGAPA association, which supports the needs of divorced fathers, raises awareness and advocates for the father's role in society, is also organizing various events on the day across the country.

Hungary

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

Iceland

In Iceland, Father's Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of November.

Ireland

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

Italy

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.

Latvia

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 Sunday of September) 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.

Lithuania

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

Malta

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 programs). The first mention of Father's Day was in June 1977, and the day is now part of the local events calendar.

Netherlands

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.

Norway

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

Poland

In Poland, Father's Day (Polish: [Dzień Ojca] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help)) is celebrated on June 23 and is not a public holiday. Google recognized Poland in its Father's Day 2019 Doodle.

Portugal

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

Romania

The law instituting the celebration of Father's Day in Romania passed on September 29, 2009, and stated that Father's Day will be celebrated annually on the second Sunday of May. The first time it was celebrated on May 9, 2010. This year it will be celebrated on May 9, 2024. The next dates this celebration will take place are: May 11, 2025; May 10, 2026; May 9, 2027; May 14, 2028; May 13, 2029; May 12, 2030; and May 11, 2031.

Russia

Russia continues the Soviet Union's tradition of celebrating Defender of the Fatherland Day on February 23. It is usually called "Man's Day" and it is considered the Russian equivalent of Father's Day. In 2021, the President of Russia has established the Father's Day falling on the third Sunday of October.

Slovakia

In Slovakia, Father's Day (Slovak: [deň otcov] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help)) is celebrated on the third Sunday of June. It is not a public holiday.

Spain

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

Sweden

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

Turkey

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

Ukraine

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

United Kingdom

A Royal Navy Officer Hugs His Daughter After Returning from a Long Deployment on HMS Chiddingfold MOD 45153053
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. The day does not have a long tradition; Steve Roud, in The English Year (2006), states that it entered British popular culture "sometime after the Second World War, not without opposition".

North American traditions

Canada

In Canada, Father's Day (French: Fête des Pères) 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.

Costa Rica

In Costa Rica, the Social Christian Unity 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. 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. The official date is still the third Sunday of June.

Haiti

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 favorite activities.

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

Mexico

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.

Trinidad and Tobago

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

United States

In the US, Father's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June. Typically, families gather to celebrate the father figures in their lives. In recent years, retailers have exploited the holiday by promoting greeting cards and stereotypically masculine gifts such as electronics and tools. Schools (if in session) and other children's programs commonly have activities to make Father's Day gifts. In 2022, 2033, 2039, 2044, and 2050, the holiday will coincide with Juneteenth.

Oceanian traditions

Australia

In Australia, Father's Day is celebrated on the first Sunday of September, which is the first Sunday of spring in Australia. Most families present fathers with gifts and cards, and share a meal. It is recognised as a national holiday, however it is not considered a public holiday.

The idea of Father's Day wasn't initially well received in Australia in the 1910s and 1920s. Many thought it was either unnecessary or undermined a father's assumed “supremacy” as head of the household. Newspapers at the time printed satirical poems and critical editorials of the new American tradition. Father's Day was originally observed in June, matching the USA date, with church services and the wearing of a red flower. In June 1925, Janet Heyden of Sydney (who also advocated for Mother's Day celebrations in Australia) began collecting donations to bring cheer to elderly men in nursing homes. While Mother's Day became instantly popular, it wasn't until the 1930s that Father's Day came to be popularly celebrated in Australia on the first Sunday in September. The Father's Day Council of Australia was established in 1957 and continues to honour distinguished fathers with an annual Australian Father of the Year award. Father's Day traditions in Australia include school crafts with handmade gifts and cards from younger children, taking dad out for lunch, BBQs, and outdoor family activities. Public schools often hold a Father's Day gift stall with inexpensive presents for fathers, grandfathers, carers, or other role-models.

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 also annually recognises fathers in the Victorian Father of the Year Award.

New Zealand

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

Samoa

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

Fiji

In Fiji, Father's Day is celebrated in September. Commercial fathers Sunday is usually on the first Sunday and then the Methodist Father's Day is usually celebrated on the second Sunday.

South American traditions

Argentina

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. 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.

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.

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

Bolivia

In Bolivia Father's Day (Día del padre, in Spanish) is celebrated on March 19 (Saint Joseph Day). People usually give a present to their fathers and spend time with them.

Brazil

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.

Chile

In Chile Father's Day (Día del padre, in Spanish) is celebrated one month after Mother's Day, on June 21.

Colombia

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

Paraguay

In Paraguay, Father's Day is typically celebrated with a traditional banquet of Paraguayan food like chipa, mbeju, bori, soyo and sopa paraguaya. In Paraguay Father's Day is a very important day, and is celebrated with much fervor.

Peru

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.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Día del Padre para niños

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