Father’s Day is the time of year when we get together to celebrate the lives of the men who raised us. We often don’t say thank you enough to our parents, so what better way to show your appreciation than with a gift and a card?
But when did Father’s Day start? And who actually invented Father’s Day? While the modern origins of Father’s Day date back to the early 20th century, it was inspired by earlier events that date back hundreds of years, with some even theorising that we’ve been celebrating it for thousands of years!
We’ve put together a brief history of Father’s Day to explain how it originated, when it’s celebrated, and how different cultures around the world observe it. Ready to brush up on some Father’s Day facts? Let’s dive in!
What is the origin of Father’s Day?
Civilisations have been paying tribute to father figures for as long as we can remember, so it’s hard to pinpoint the exact beginnings of Father’s Day. Many historians believe it was celebrated by ancient pagans thousands of years ago, with offerings to the god of the sun during the summer solstice, but the modern origins of Father’s Day can be traced back to two campaigns in the USA.
Mothering Sunday had been celebrated in the UK since the 16th century, with people returning to the churches where they were baptised, or their “mother church”. Later, Mother’s Day was widely adopted in the USA in 1908, when Anna Jarvis led a campaign to establish a holiday to honour her mother.
The next year, Sonora Smart Dodd was inspired to launch a similar campaign to create Father’s Day. Her father was a single parent and a veteran of the American Civil War, who raised six children after her mother had died in childbirth. Despite scathing criticisms from many newspapers at the time, the first Father’s Day was officially celebrated in 1910, eventually reaching the same popularity and significance as Mother’s Day!
What day is Father’s Day?
Father’s Day is celebrated at different times of the year depending on the country. The most common time to commemorate it (in the UK, the USA, Canada, India, and more), Father’s Day is on the third Sunday of June each year. However, Spain, Italy, and Portugal hold their celebrations on the 19th of March, coinciding with the Catholic celebration of Saint Joseph’s Day.
In Australia and New Zealand, Father’s Day is on the first Sunday of September, while in Germany it is on Ascension Day (40 days after Easter). Thailand celebrates on the 5th of December, in honour of its former ruler, King Rama IX.
Unique Father’s Day traditions around the world
There are plenty of things to do with your dad on Father’s Day. Many families in the UK celebrate by writing a Father’s Day card, having a meal, and giving gifts, but what are some of the more wild and wonderful traditions around the world? Here are some of our favourite ways that different countries celebrate Father’s Day:
Mexico’s mad dad dash
In Mexico, Father’s Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June. Traditions include family meals and gatherings, but the country’s capital, Mexico City, has its own unique spin on a Father’s Day celebration.
Every year, dads line up in the Bosque de Tlalpan region of the city for the “Carrera Día del Padre”, or “Father’s Day race”. This half-marathon sees fathers run through the busy streets of Mexico City, with huge crowds gathering to watch the action! There are also 5km fun run options for an easier celebration that families can enjoy together, along with live music and street food.
Drinking day trips in Germany
Germans celebrate “Vatertag” on Ascension Day, which is 40 days after Easter Sunday. The country has a unique tradition in which men (regardless of whether they’re fathers) hike or cycle through the countryside with decorated wagons.
These wagons, known as “Bollerwagen”, are typically filled with alcohol and food. You’ll often see them being pulled around parks or forests, with men taking their wagons to restaurants and picnic areas to enjoy a drink in the sun. The event has a boisterous reputation, with many Germans jokingly nicknaming it “Accident Day”, as drunk men cause a spike in accidents around the country!
An all-you-can-eat Brazilian barbecue
It’s a typical dad activity in the UK to work the grill for family and friends in the summer, but Brazil takes things to another level. The country celebrates Father’s Day on the second Sunday of August each year, with dads across the country pulling out their barbecues for huge celebrations!
The key element of a Brazilian Father’s Day barbecue is “churrasco” (grilled beef), but other popular dishes include sausages, chicken hearts, and “picanha” (a type of sirloin steak). These are served with side dishes such as salsa, potato salad, and dipping sauces. Caipirinhas are also served to add a boozy twist to barbecues.
Traditional Thai colours for Father’s Day
Thailand celebrates Father’s Day on December 5th to mark the birthday of the late King Rama IX. Like in many other countries, family gatherings are popular, but several Thai traditions stand out from Father’s Day celebrations in the Western world.
It’s common to wear yellow in remembrance of the king, as yellow is associated with Mondays in the country, which is the day on which Rama IX was born. Children also gift their fathers Canna flowers, which are seen as a symbol of masculinity. Other activities include visiting temples and commemorating the King at public ceremonies, with many public transit systems offering free travel to families for the day.
A day of reflection in Nepal
Nepali Hindus celebrate “Kushe Aunsi” (also called Gokarna Aunsi or Bowa ko Mukh Herne Din) on the new moon day of the Hindu month of Bhadra (typically in late August or early September). Children honour their fathers by gifting presents like sweets or clothes, while holy “Kusha” grass is brought into homes as a symbol of purity.
For those celebrating Father’s Day without a dad, there are pilgrimages to sacred temples and worship sites, letting children honour their families who are no longer with them. The Gokarneshwor Mahadev temple in Kathmandu is a particularly popular site, with rituals and prayers to honour the souls of ancestors.
Fun Father’s Day facts
Think you’re a Father’s Day expert now? These fun facts might surprise you!
- The first Father’s Day card: A Babylonian clay tablet from 4,000 years ago is thought to be one of the earliest surviving cards in the world. In it, a young person named Elmesu writes to his father to wish him good health. Could this be the first Father’s Day card in history?
- Father’s Day flowers: The official flower of Father’s Day is a rose (red to honour a living father and white for a father who has passed away). This is a quiet tradition that adds a little extra meaning to the day.
- Biggest family in the world: By the time Indian religious leader Ziona Chana passed away in 2021, he had fathered an estimated 94 children with 39 wives. This made him the patriarch of the world’s largest family, though he declined a Guinness World Record to avoid the spotlight. Still, he must have received a ton of gifts each year!
Find the perfect card with thortful
Looking to add a personal touch to your Father’s Day celebrations this year? We’ve got a huge range of Father’s Day cards, making it easy to pick the perfect match for your dad. From heartfelt messages to funny surprises, we’ve got you covered:
If you’re still thinking of ways to celebrate, try reading our list of questions to ask your dad this Father’s Day. You may learn something new about him in the process! Oh, and don’t forget to check out these Father’s Day gift ideas and pick out something he’ll love. And finally, if you’re looking for more insights, you’ll find plenty over on the thortful blog.
