Back to Holidays
Holidays
Father's Day
What does Father's Day celebrate?
Father's Day is a day to celebrate fatherhood as well as your father's contribution to your life.
When is Father's Day celebrated?
Third Sunday of June
Who celebrates this day?
Father's Day is celebrated throughout the world. It is a popular holiday in the United States where many children, young and old, celebrate the day with their dads.
What do people do to celebrate?
Most people spend the day with their dad. Many people give gifts, a card, or cook their dad a meal. Typical Father's Day gifts include ties, clothes, electronics, and tools. Since the day occurs on Sunday, a lot of people go to church with their dad to celebrate the day.
Ideas for Father's Day
- Make a Card - All dads like a handmade card. Be sure to write a note and list some of the things you like about your dad. Draw a picture of you and him doing something together.
- Sports - If your dad is into sports, make the day a sports day. You could make him a card with a sports team and then watch his favorite team with him. Ask him to play catch or golf or whatever sport he likes. If you really want to go all out you could even get him a ticket to a sporting event or the jersey of his favorite team.
- Chores - Do some chores for your dad that you don't normally do. You could pull the weeds in the yard, vacuum the house, do the dishes, or clean the grill. Do a chore that he normally does.
- Food - Most dads enjoy eating. You can make him his favorite meal or take him out to eat somewhere that he likes to go.
- Sleep - Let your dad take a nap. Make sure the house is quiet and let him sleep on the couch if he wants to. He will love it!
History of Father's Day
The original Father's Day is thought to have been founded by Sonora Dodd in Spokane, Washington on June 19, 1910. Sonora and her five siblings were raised by their single-parent dad. She thought that since there was a Mother's Day, there should be a day to honor fathers as well.
In 1916 President Woodrow Wilson visited Spokane and spoke at the Father's Day celebration. He wanted to make the day an official US holiday, but Congress didn't agree. President Calvin Coolidge tried again in 1924, but the day still didn't become a holiday. The main reason was because many people felt that the day was too commercial. That the only reason to have the holiday was so that companies who sold ties and men's clothing could make money.
In 1966 President Lyndon Johnson proclaimed the third Sunday of June as Father's Day. The national holiday was finally signed into law in 1972 by President Richard Nixon. Since then the day has become a major holiday in the United States.
Around the World
Here are some dates when the day is celebrated in different countries:
- Russia - February 23
- Denmark - June 5
- Brazil - Second Sunday of August
- Australia and New Zealand - First Sunday of September
- Egypt and Syria - June 21
- Indonesia - November 12
Fun Facts About Father's Day
- There are around 70 million fathers in the United States.
- Sonora initially wanted the day to be on her dad's birthday which was June 5th, but the preachers needed more time after Mother's Day to write their sermons, so the day was moved back to the third Sunday in June.
- There was a movement in the 1930s to combine Mother's Day and Father's Day in to Parent's Day.
- Around $1 billion is spent each year on Father's Day gifts.
- For many dads, they consider being a father the most important job they have.
June Holidays
Flag Day
Fathers Day
Juneteenth
Paul Bunyan Day
Back to Holidays
