{"id":20183,"date":"2026-04-09T12:02:37","date_gmt":"2026-04-09T11:02:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog-content.thortful.com\/?p=20183"},"modified":"2026-04-09T12:04:35","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T11:04:35","slug":"fathers-day-origin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog-content.thortful.com\/fathers-day-origin\/","title":{"rendered":"History of Father\u2019s Day"},"content":{"rendered":"

Father\u2019s Day is the time of year when we get together to celebrate the lives of the men who raised us. We often don\u2019t say thank you enough to our parents, so what better way to show your appreciation than with a gift and a card?<\/span><\/p>\n

But when did Father\u2019s Day start? And who actually invented Father\u2019s Day? While the modern origins of Father\u2019s 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\u2019ve been celebrating it for thousands of years!<\/span><\/p>\n

We\u2019ve put together a brief history of Father\u2019s Day to explain how it originated, when it\u2019s celebrated, and how different cultures around the world observe it. Ready to brush up on some Father\u2019s Day facts? Let\u2019s dive in!<\/span><\/p>\n

What is the origin of Father\u2019s Day?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Civilisations have been paying tribute to father figures for as long as we can remember, so it\u2019s hard to pinpoint the exact beginnings of Father\u2019s 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\u2019s Day can be traced back to two campaigns in the USA.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mothering Sunday had been celebrated in the UK since the 16<\/span>th<\/span> century, with people returning to the churches where they were baptised, or their \u201cmother church\u201d. Later, Mother\u2019s Day was widely adopted in the USA in 1908, when Anna Jarvis led a campaign to establish a holiday to honour her mother.<\/span><\/p>\n

The next year, Sonora Smart Dodd was inspired to launch a similar campaign to create Father\u2019s 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\u2019s Day was officially celebrated in 1910, eventually reaching the same popularity and significance as Mother\u2019s Day!<\/span><\/p>\n

What day is Father\u2019s Day?\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Father\u2019s 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\u2019s Day is on the third Sunday of June each year. However, Spain, Italy, and Portugal hold their celebrations on the 19<\/span>th<\/span> of March, coinciding with the Catholic celebration of Saint Joseph\u2019s Day.<\/span><\/p>\n

In Australia and New Zealand, Father\u2019s Day is on the first Sunday of September, while in Germany it is on Ascension Day (40 days after Easter). Thailand celebrates on the 5<\/span>th<\/span> of December, in honour of its former ruler, King Rama IX.<\/span><\/p>\n

Unique Father\u2019s Day traditions around the world<\/span><\/h2>\n

There are plenty of <\/span>things to do with your dad on Father\u2019s Day<\/span><\/a>. Many families in the UK celebrate by <\/span>writing a Father\u2019s Day card<\/span><\/a>, 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\u2019s Day:<\/span><\/p>\n

Mexico\u2019s mad dad dash<\/span><\/h3>\n

In Mexico, Father\u2019s Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June. Traditions include family meals and gatherings, but the country\u2019s capital, Mexico City, has its own unique spin on a Father\u2019s Day celebration.<\/span><\/p>\n

Every year, dads line up in the Bosque de Tlalpan region of the city for the \u201cCarrera D\u00eda del Padre\u201d, or \u201cFather\u2019s Day race\u201d. 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

Drinking day trips in Germany<\/span><\/h3>\n

Germans celebrate \u201cVatertag\u201d on Ascension Day, which is 40 days after Easter Sunday. The country has a unique tradition in which men (regardless of whether they\u2019re fathers) hike or cycle through the countryside with decorated wagons.<\/span><\/p>\n

These wagons, known as \u201cBollerwagen\u201d, are typically filled with alcohol and food. You\u2019ll 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 \u201cAccident Day\u201d, as drunk men cause a spike in accidents around the country!<\/span><\/p>\n

An all-you-can-eat Brazilian barbecue<\/span><\/h3>\n

It\u2019s 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\u2019s Day on the second Sunday of August each year, with dads across the country pulling out their barbecues for huge celebrations!<\/span><\/p>\n

The key element of a Brazilian Father\u2019s Day barbecue is \u201cchurrasco\u201d (grilled beef), but other popular dishes include sausages, chicken hearts, and \u201cpicanha\u201d (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.<\/span><\/p>\n

Traditional Thai colours for Father\u2019s Day<\/span><\/h3>\n

Thailand celebrates Father\u2019s Day on December 5<\/span>th<\/span> 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\u2019s Day celebrations in the Western world.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

A day of reflection in Nepal<\/span><\/h3>\n

Nepali Hindus celebrate \u201cKushe Aunsi\u201d (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 \u201cKusha\u201d grass is brought into homes as a symbol of purity.<\/span><\/p>\n

For those celebrating <\/span>Father\u2019s Day without a dad<\/span><\/a>, 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fun Father\u2019s Day facts<\/span><\/h2>\n

Think you\u2019re a Father\u2019s Day expert now? These fun facts might surprise you!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n