Fathers day 2021 – History, Traditions, and Dates Around the World
What is Father’s day?
This day is celebrated to admire the men who have adopted the crucial role of fatherhood. The purpose of this day is to show appreciation to the fathers for all the sacrifices they make, for taking the responsibility of parenting and child-rearing, and for dedication to their family.
This Day is celebrated on different dates all around the world; however, the day is celebrated in a similar way, generally including giving presents to fathers and activities for the family.
Fathers Day is celebrated on the 3rd Sunday of June. This year Fathers Day will be observed on 20th June 2021. This date was first discovered in America and since then accepted by many countries.
In Australia, for instance, Father’s Day is celebrated on the 1st Sunday of September; in Sweden, Norway, and Finland, held on the 2nd Sunday of November; and in Spain, Italy, and Portugal on 19 March (St. Joseph’s day). Saint Joseph’s Day- St. Joseph’s day is observed every year on 19th March to pay tribute to St. Joseph, the father of Jesus and the husband of marrying. Today, Father’s day is celebrated by more than 50 countries.
Fathers Day is not an official holiday in many countries, except for Thailand because father’s day observed on the Birthday of the late king, which is a national holiday. In many countries, Father’s Day is celebrated on a Sunday, thus many organizations are already closed and only a few are open for work.
The public transport system follows the same weekend schedules. Eating places are busier than a usual day because many people prefer to take their father out for a dinner, therefore, advanced booking is essential to secure a place in your father’s favorite restaurant.
| Year | Day | Fathers Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Sunday | Jun 20, 2021 |
| 2022 | Sunday | Jun 19, 2022 |
| 2023 | Sunday | Jun 18, 2023 |
| 2024 | Sunday | Jun 16, 2024 |
| 2025 | Sunday | Jun 15, 2025 |
| 2026 | Sunday | Jun 21, 2026 |
| 2027 | Sunday | Jun 20, 2027 |
| 2028 | Sunday | Jun 18, 2028 |
| 2029 | Sunday | June 17, 2029 |
| 2030 | Sunday | Jun 16, 2030 |
| 2031 | Sunday | Jun 15, 2031 |
| 2032 | Sunday | Jun 20, 2032 |
| 2033 | Sunday | Jun 19, 2033 |
| 2034 | Sunday | Jun 18, 2034 |
| 2035 | Sunday | Jun 17, 2035 |
Fathers Day History, Facts and Origin
Many people tried to approve the idea of Father’s day, one of them was Grace Golden Clayton. She lost her father in the coal mine blast in the Monongah, which had killed over 361 men the previous December. This Disaster left more than 1000 children fatherless. She suggested the local pastor arrange a celebration in the memory of those fathers. The pastor accepted her request and the nation’s first celebration of father’s day was sponsored by the West Virginia church. The first commemoration took place on July 5, 1908, in West Virginia, but it was a one-time observance.
In 1909, Washington woman, Sonora Smart Dodd (being one of the six children raised by a single father), wanted to admire his father (Civil war veteran William Smart Jackson) for all the sacrifices. Sonora Smart Dodd was the key person in the establishment of Fathers day, she strived to obtain an official equivalency of father’s day to mother’s day. She talked to the pastors of local churches that June 5 (her father’s death anniversary) should be a day in which parishioners honored fatherhood.
This idea of honoring fatherhood was approved by the pastors of the churches and government officials. But she didn’t allocate more time to the organizer to prepare sermons, therefore the first father’s day state-wide was taken place on the 3rd Sunday of June (June 19, 1910). Every year, father’s day is celebrated on the 3rd Sunday of June in America.
One more claim for the establishment of Fathers day was Mothers Day, which was observed for the 1st time two months before in Grafton. An additional explanation for the foundation of Father’s Day is the minister of the Lions’ Club (Chicago branch), Harry Meek. He celebrated the first Father’s Day with his company in 1915 and that day they decided to observed father’s day on the 3rd Sunday of June since it was the closest Sunday to Harry Meek’s birthday. In 1924, President Calvin Coolidge suggested that Father’s day should be regarded as a national holiday. In 1966, President Lyndon Johnson recognized Fathers Day as a holiday to be observed on the 3rd Sunday of June every year, however, the day was not legally approved through the presidency of Richard Nixon till 1972.
The idea of a Father’s Day was embraced in 1930 around Scandinavia. Initially, the American date was used to celebrate father’s day, but then the Nordic countries planned to change it to the 2nd Sunday of November in 1994. This date was decided to accelerate the sales in the business period prior to Christmas. Denmark didn’t follow the same date. They didn’t notify the public and media about the new date, therefore, Fathers Day stood on the same date. Fathers Day is held on 8th August in Taiwan since the Chinese word for eight is, while an informal word for father is baba, thus the 8th day of August sounds alike to daddy. Father’s day was celebrated on the same date in China, however then the date was changed to the 3rd Sunday of June.
What do people do on Father’s day?
Many people try to make this day special for their fathers. Some people pay a visit to their fathers, whereas some people give cards, bouquets or other gifts, namely clothes or sports equipment, and luxury items including perfume, watch and wallet. Fathers Day is a comparatively present-time holiday, thus different people have different customs. This includes a simple phone call or father’s day card to arranging a large family to get together to honor all fathers of the family.
Father figure of the family comprised of fathers, father-in-law, step-father, and grandfathers. Traditions related to father’s Day are different all around the world. Take an example of Mexico where father’s day is called “Día del Padre”, many people organized family gets together, prepares delicious food, and distributes gifts to their fathers. In Africa, cultural groups throw Fathers Day celebrations to emphasize the integral role of fathers play in child-rearing and creating a healthy society.
Different Dates in Different countries
40 countries celebrate Fathers day on the 3rd Sunday of June
UK, USA, India, China, Bosnia, Bermuda, Bangladesh, Czech Republic, Canada, France, Colombia, Pakistan, Turkey, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Singapore, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Cambodia, Peru, Republic of the Congo, Georgia, Albania, Armenia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Hong Kong, Bahamas, Benin, Ghana, Gabon, Trinidad and Tobago, Niger, Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Barbados, Jamaica, Mauritius, Botswana, Cape Verde.
4 countries celebrate on the 2nd Sunday of November
- Finland
- Norway
- Iceland
- Sweden
2 countries celebrate on 1st Sunday of September
2 countries celebrate on 1st Sunday of June
2 countries celebrate on 2nd Sunday of September
Father’s Day dates and traditions around the world
Father’s day is observed on different dates all around the world.
Africa
Algeria – Father’s day is celebrated on the 3rd Sunday of June every year. Egypt -Father’s day is celebrated on the 21st of June every year. Kenya -Father’s day is celebrated on the 3rd Sunday of June every year, not recognized as a national holiday. Morocco -Father’s day is celebrated on the 3rd Sunday of June every year. Mozambique – Father’s day is celebrated on the 16th of June every year. Seychelles – Father’s day is celebrated on the 16th of June every year, not regarded as a public holiday. South Africa – Father’s day is celebrated on the 3rd Sunday of June every year, not regarded as a public holiday. South Sudan – Father’s day is celebrated on the last Monday of August. Sudan – Father’s day is celebrated on the 25th of June every year.
Asia
China – no official Fathers day, some citizens celebrate it on the 3rd Sunday of June in keeping with the customs of the USA. India – Father’s day celebrated on the 3rd Sunday of June, no public holiday. This day is only celebrated in metropolitan cities such as Hyderabad, Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, Kanpur, Kolkata, and Pune. Indonesia – 12th November every year, not regarded as a public holiday. This day was first celebrated in 2006. Japan- 3rd Sunday of June, not regarded as a public holiday. Kazakhstan – Since 2012, Kazakhstan celebrates army day which is also known as Defender of the Fatherland Day on 7th May. This day is also perceived as a men’s day and Father’s day which is celebrated to show respect and appreciation toward men. Korea – Parents day is observed in Korea on May 8 of every year, not recognized as a public holiday. Malaysia – 3rd Sunday of June every year. Mongolia – Father’s day was first declared in 2005, since then it is celebrated on the 8th August of every year. Nepal – In Nepal, honors fathers on the day of Gokarna Aunsi between late August and 1 st week of September, based on the year, because it relies on the lunar calendar. Pakistan – 3rd Sunday of June every year, not regarded as a public holiday. Singapore – 3rd Sunday of June every year, not regarded as a public holiday. Philippines – 3rd Sunday of June every year, not regarded as a public holiday. Sri Lanka – 3rd Sunday of June every year, not regarded as a public holiday. Taiwan – August 8th of every year, not an official holiday. Thailand – The birthday of late King Bhumibol Adulyadej on December 5 is celebrated as Father’s day. Turkey – 3rd Sunday of June every year, not regarded as a public holiday. The United Arab Emirates – Fathers day is celebrated on 21 st June every year.
Europe
Roman Catholic – Father’s day is celebrated on St Josephs Day on 19th March every year. Catholics admire their priest on this Day. Austria – 2nd Sunday of June every year, no public holiday. Belarus – 3rd Sunday of June every year, except for Antwerp, where father’s day celebrated on March 19, no public holiday. Belgium – 2nd Sunday of June every year, no public holiday. Bulgaria – Father’s day is celebrated on 26th December of every year, no public holiday. Croatia – Father’s day is celebrated on St Josephs Day on 19th March of every year. Denmark – Father’s day is celebrated on 5th June every year. Estonia – 2nd Sunday of November every year, a public holiday. Germany – Father’s day is celebrated on Ascension Day (It is the 40th day of Easter and celebrates the ascension of Christ into paradise 39 days after his rebirth on Easter Sunday. It happens every time on a Thursday, public holiday. Finland – 2nd Sunday of November every year. France – 3rd Sunday of June every year, a national holiday. Greece – 3rd Sunday of June every year. Iceland – 2nd Sunday of November every year. Ireland – 3rd Sunday of June every year, no public holiday. Hungary – 3rd Sunday of June every year, no public holiday. Italy – Father’s day is celebrated on St Josephs Day on 19th March every year. Latvia – 2nd Sunday of September, no public holiday. Lithuania – 1st Sunday of June, a national holiday. Malta – 3rd Sunday of June every year. Netherland – 3rd Sunday of June every year, no public holiday. Norway -2nd Sunday of November, no public holiday. Poland – 23rd June every year, no public holiday. Portugal – Father’s day is celebrated on St Josephs Day on 19th March of every year, no public holiday. Romania – Fathers day is celebrated on 2nd Sunday of May every year, this day for the first time celebrated in 2010. Russia – Fathers day is celebrated on 23rd February every year. Spain – Father’s day is celebrated on St Josephs Day on 19th March of every year, a public holiday. Sweden – 2nd Sunday of November every year, no public holiday. Slovakia – 3rd Sunday of June every year, no public holiday. Ukraine – 3rd Sunday of June every year. United Kingdom – 3rd Sunday of June every year. Isle of man – 3rd Sunday of June every year. Guernsey – 3rd Sunday of June every year. Honduras – Father’s day is celebrated on St Josephs Day on 19th March of every year, a public holiday. Switzerland – Father’s day is celebrated on the 1st Sunday of June every year. Luxemburg – Fathers day is observed on 1st Sunday of October every year. El Salvador – Fathers day is celebrated on 17th June every year. Puerto Rico – Fathers day is celebrated on 3rd Sunday of June every year. Jersey – Fathers day is observed 0n 3rd Sunday of June every year.
North America
Canada – 3rd Sunday of June every year, no public holiday. Costa Rica – 3rd Sunday of June every year. Haiti- Father’s Day is celebrated on the last Sunday of June, no public holiday. Dominican Republic – Last Sunday of July every year. Mexico – 3rd Sunday of June every year, no public holiday. Trinidad and Tobago – 3rd Sunday of June every year, no public holiday. United State of America – 3rd Sunday of June every year.
Oceania
Australia – 1st Sunday of September every year. New Zealand – 1st Sunday of September every year, no public holiday. Samoa – 2nd Sunday of August every year, a national holiday on the following Monday. Fiji – Commercial father’s day is celebrated on the 1 st Sunday of September and Methodist father’s day is celebrated on the 2nd Sunday of September.
South America
Argentina – 3rd Sunday of June every year, no public holiday. Chile – Father’s day is observed one month after mother’s day on 21st June. Brazil – Father’s day is observed three months after mother’s day on the 2nd Sunday of August. Colombia – 3rd Sunday of June every year. Peru – 3rd Sunday of June every year, no public holiday. Venezuela – 3rd Sunday of June every year, no public holiday.
Fathers day dates around the globe in 2021
| Country | Day | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Sunday | Sep 5, 2021 |
| Austria | Sunday | Jun13, 2021 |
| Belgium | Sunday | Jun13, 2021 |
| Brazil | Sunday | Aug 8, 2021 |
| Canada | Sunday | Jun 20, 2021 |
| Chile | Sunday | Jun 20, 2021 |
| Colombia | Sunday | Jun 20, 2021 |
| Denmark | Friday | Jun 5, 2021 |
| Dominican Republic | Sunday | Jul 25, 2021 |
| El Salvador | Thursday | Jun 17, 2021 |
| Estonia | Sunday | Nov 14, 2021 |
| Finland | Sunday | Nov 14, 2021 |
| France | Sunday | Jun 20, 2021 |
| Guernsey | Sunday | Jun 20, 2021 |
| Honduras | Friday | Mar 19, 2021 |
| Hungary | Sunday | Jun 20, 2021 |
| Iceland | Sunday | Nov 14, 2021 |
| Ireland | Sunday | Jun 20, 2021 |
| Isle of man | Sunday | Jun 20, 2021 |
| Italy | Friday | Mar 19, 2021 |
| Jersey | Sunday | Jun 20, 2021 |
| Latvia | Sunday | Sep 12, 2021 |
| Lithuania | Sunday | Jun 6, 2021 |
| Luxemburg | Sunday | Oct 3, 2021 |
| Malaysia | Sunday | Jun 20, 2021 |
| Malta | Sunday | Jun 20, 2021 |
| Mexico | Sunday | Jun 20, 2021 |
| Netherland | Sunday | Jun 20, 2021 |
| New Zealand | Sunday | Sep 5 , 2021 |
| Norway | Sunday | Nov 14, 2021 |
| Spain | Friday | Mar 19, 2021 |
| Poland | Wednesday | Jun 23, 2021 |
| Puerto Rico | Sunday | Jun 20, 2021 |
| Romania | Sunday | May 9, 2021 |
| Sweden | Sunday | Nov 14, 2021 |
| Switzerland | Sunday | Jun 6, 2021 |
| Taiwan | Sunday | Aug 8, 2021 |
| Thailand | Sunday | Dec 5, 2021 |
| USA | Sunday | Jun 20, 2021 |
| United Kingdom | Sunday | Jun 20, 2021 |
| Venezuela | Sunday | Jun 20, 2021 |
| Costa Rica | Sunday | Jun 20, 2021 |
| Portugal | Friday | Mar 19, 2021 |
| Greece | Sunday | Jun 20, 2021 |
| Belarus | Tuesday | Feb 23, 2021 |
| Germany | Thursday | May 13, 2021 |
| Slovakia | Sunday | Jun 20, 2021 |
| Ukraine | Sunday | Jun 20, 2021 |
| Peru | Sunday | Jun 20, 2021 |
| Mongolia | Thursday | Mar 18, 2021 |
| Croatia | Friday | Mar 19, 2021 |
| Bulgaria | Sunday | Dec 26, 2021 |
| Pakistan | Sunday | Jun 20, 2021 |
| India | Sunday | Jun 20, 2021 |
| Turkey | Sunday | Jun 20, 2021 |
| Singapore | Sunday | Jun 20, 2021 |
| Egypt | Monday | Jun 21, 2021 |
| Kenya | Sunday | Jun 20, 2021 |
| Morocco | Sunday | Jun 20, 2021 |
| Sri Lanka | Sunday | Jun 20, 2021 |
| Indonesia | Friday | Nov 12, 2021 |
| Philippines | Sunday | Jun 20, 2021 |
| Russia | Tuesday | Feb 23, 2021 |
| Japan | Sunday | Jun 20, 2021 |
| South Sudan | Monday | Aug 30, 2021 |
| Fiji | Sunday | Sep 5, 2021 |
| Mozambique | Friday | Mar 19, 2021 |
| China | Sunday | Jun 20, 2021 |
| South Africa | Sunday | Jun 20, 2021 |
| UAE | Monday | Jun 21, 2021 |
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