Father’s Day celebrations began on June 13, 1910 at the efforts of Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington. After listening to a church sermon at Spokane’s Central Methodist Episcopal Church in 1909 about the newly recognized Mother’s Day, Dodd felt that Father’s Day also needs recognition. In 1916, US President Woodrow wanted to make it an official day but Congress resisted and felt that it would become a commercialized day which would lose its value. US President Calvin Coolidge recommended in 1924 that the day be observed by the nation, but stopped short of issuing a national proclamation. In 1966, President Lyndon Johnson issued the first presidential proclamation honouring fathers, designating the third Sunday in June as Father’s Day. Six years later, the day was made a permanent national holiday when President Richard Nixon signed it into law in 1972.
With the passage of time, Father’s Day was recognized as a satirized holiday and merchants used to mock it by giving advertisement in the paper and promoting gifts on that day. But soon Father’s Day celebrations compelled many to share gifts and presents on that day.
By 1937 the Father’s Day Council calculated that only one father in six had received a present on that day. However, by the 1980s, the Council proclaimed that they had achieved their goal: the one-day event had become a three-week commercial event, a ’second Christmas.’
When it comes to celebrating Father’s Day globally, different trends have come forward:
Argentina: Father’s day celebration begins on the third Sunday of June but it is also commemorated on August 24th, to commemorate the day on which the “Father of the Nation” José de San Martín became a father.
Australia: In Australia, Father’s Day is celebrated on the first Sunday of September but not given the status of public holiday.
Germany: In Germany, Father’s Day is celebrated differently from other countries. Males do only hiking tours with one or small wagons. Drinks are served with traditional regional food. Men remain in a state of euphoria all day. However, several fathers also spend the day with their families and refrain from taking anything alcoholic.
India: In India, Father’s Day is commemorated in the last week of August or in the first week of September to worship their father’s.
Japan: In Japan, Father’s day celebrations take place in the third week of June.
Romania: It is celebrated in the second Sunday of May and is recognized as a national holiday. Out of the 27 states in European Union it is the only country that gives recognition to this day.
Thailand: In Thailand, Father’s Day is set as the birthday of the king. December 5th is the birthday of the current king, Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX). Thais celebrate by giving their father or grandfather a Canna flower which is considered a masculine flower. Thai people wear yellow on this day to show respect for the king.