कृपया इसे हिंदी में पढ़ने के लिए यहाँ क्लिक करें
What is Father’s Day?
Father’s Day is a special day celebrated globally to honor and appreciate fathers and father figures for their love, guidance, protection, and sacrifices. It’s a time to express gratitude to the men who shape lives in the background with silent strength and undemanding love.
Unlike Mother’s Day which is rooted in grief and healing, Father’s Day comes with a softer blend of love, laughter, barbecues, awkward hugs, wallet jokes, and that classic dad wisdom — like “I’m not sleeping, I’m just resting my eyes.”
The Backstory: How Did Father’s Day Begin?
The story of Father’s Day started over a century ago in Spokane, Washington, USA. It was Sonora Smart Dodd, the daughter of a Civil War veteran and single father, William Jackson Smart, who first proposed the idea in 1909.
Moved by the devotion her father showed in raising her and her siblings alone after her mother’s death, Sonora wanted a day like Mother’s Day to honor dads. She campaigned for it, and in 1910, the first Father’s Day was celebrated on June 19 in Spokane.
It didn’t catch on instantly. People found it odd – some even joked about it, calling it a commercial gimmick. But gradually, it gained popularity.
President Lyndon B. Johnson issued the first presidential proclamation honoring fathers in 1966, and in 1972, President Richard Nixon made Father’s Day a permanent national holiday in the USA.
When Is Father’s Day Celebrated?
In most countries including the United States, India, the UK, and Canada, Father’s Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June every year.
In 2025, Father’s Day will be celebrated on Sunday, 15 June 2025.
However, other countries have their own dates:
- Australia & New Zealand – 1st Sunday of September
- Spain, Portugal & Italy – March 19 (Saint Joseph’s Day)
- Thailand – December 5 (King Bhumibol’s birthday)
- Russia – February 23 (Defender of the Fatherland Day)
Why is Father’s Day Important?
Fathers are often seen as the quiet backbone of the family. Society has traditionally painted them as the stoic providers. But today’s dads are more than that — they cook, change diapers, dance to silly songs, stay up with sick kids, teach life lessons, and hold everything together without asking for credit.
Father’s Day is important because:
- It encourages children to value and express love to their fathers.
- It brings attention to fatherhood and men’s emotional roles in families.
- It helps challenge gender stereotypes about parenting.
- It fosters bonding in families through celebration and communication.
Lesser-Known & Fun Facts About Father’s Day
- “Dad jokes” have no holiday… but every dad thinks every day is the right day for them!
- The most popular Father’s Day gift is a tie. Yes, even in 2025.
- In Germany, Father’s Day (Vatertag) is celebrated with beer and hiking—sometimes even pulling a cart full of drinks!
- The world’s oldest message to a father is an ancient Babylonian clay tablet dated around 4,000 years ago!
- More than 1 billion greeting cards are sent worldwide each year for Father’s Day.
How Is It Celebrated?
Father’s Day is celebrated in many ways depending on the culture and personal family traditions:
- Kids make handmade cards and crafts for their fathers.
- Families go out for brunch or a special dinner.
- Dads receive gifts like gadgets, watches, tools, books, and (of course) socks.
- Schools often conduct Father-Child bonding activities.
- Many children post heartfelt social media tributes to their dads.
Emotional Story Corner
- In Mumbai, a 10-year-old girl named Meera spent her entire year saving ₹10 coins to buy her father a pair of shoes on Father’s Day. Her father, a construction worker, wore broken slippers to work every day. Her gift brought tears to his eyes — and soon went viral.
- In the UK, a single dad of three was honored by his town for taking up a second job as a school cleaner just so he could afford football training for his kids.
These stories remind us that while superheroes wear capes, fathers wear responsibilities — and carry them with grace.
Father’s Day: Modern Meaning
In today’s world, Father’s Day is not just about biological dads. It includes stepfathers, foster dads, grandfathers, uncles, mentors, guardians, and anyone who plays a father-like role.
It is a day to celebrate kindness, mentorship, protection, support, and emotional strength, irrespective of the form they come in.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for general informational purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, readers are advised to verify any time-sensitive details, including celebration dates, from official government or cultural calendars applicable in their region. This article does not intend to hurt or offend any cultural, regional, or religious sentiments. Any resemblance to persons in stories is purely for representational purposes and should not be assumed to reflect actual individuals unless stated. Sharing of this content is allowed with due credits.
Leave a Reply