At hampers.com, we decided to investigate this annual event and find out a bit more about the history of Father’s Day, in the UK and around the world.
Read on to see what we found out…
And, what is International Father's Day?
Father’s Day has different origins in different countries.
Historically, the origins of Father’s Day are linked to the Catholic celebration of Saint Joseph’s Day (Father of Jesus), which takes place on the same day every day – the 19th of March – with evidence of celebrations on this date since the 1500s.
According to research from The Telegraph, it is also believed that Father’s Day is linked to Pagan Sun worship, as Pagan believed the sun to be the ‘father of the universe’.
In modern history, Father’s Day (as we know it) started in the US.
Inspired by Anna Jarvis, who is credited with starting Mother’s Day, after holding a small memorial service for her mother in 1907, a lady called Sonora Smart Dodd decided it was important to do the same thing for fathers.
Sonora’s mother had died whilst giving birth to her sixth child and, together with her father, Sonora helped to raise her five brothers. She felt fatherhood equally needed recognition, especially in light of her father’s single parenting. She approached locals, churches and small businesses to support the idea and, on the 19th June 1910, Sonora is credited with celebrating the first Father’s Day in the US.
However, it had a mixed reception initially and it wasn’t until 1972 that President Richard Nixon finally declared Father’s Day as a national holiday.
Father’s Day in the US, Canada and the UK fall on the same day (unlike Mother’s Day). The third Sunday in June is recognised as both Father's Day and also International Father’s Day.
However, it is not the case that all countries celebrate Father’s Day on the same day.
And, why is Father's Day a different date each year?
Father’s Day 2023 will be on Sunday 16th June 2024.
Father's Day falls on the third Sunday in June, in the US, UK and Canada. This is why it is a slightly different date each year. However, it does not vary as much as Mother’s Day, by comparison.
If not, why are there different dates?
Father’s Day is not celebrated on the same day in all countries.
In Australia and New Zealand, Father’s Day is celebrated in September and has been since 1936. There appears to be little consensus on why it is different, but many speculate that it was due to ‘holiday fatigue’. There were lots of other significant events happening too close to June, including celebrations such as Easter, Anzac Day, as well as International Mother’s Day (which is in May).
There are many countries in Latin America and Europe, including Italy, Portugal and Spain, who celebrate Father’s Day on the 19th March – the traditional feast day of St Joseph, as mentioned above.
Father’s Day Around the World
What can we do to make Dad's day a bit different?
According to some sources, a tie is still the UK’s most popular FatherDayday gift. Let’s hope we can get more imaginative than that on the 16th of June, this year!
Father’s Day is centrally a time for families to be together and for children to celebrate their dads, thank them and make sure they know what they mean to those they care for.
In terms of gifts and treats, whilst beer, chocolate, socks, a homemade card and, perhaps, breakfast in bed are common Father’s Day gifts, the rose is the official flower of Father’s Day. Perfect if Dad loves to garden!
In Canada, it is also very popular to celebrate not only your father but all male figures who are important to you.
Why not plan to get all of the important men in your life together, this Father’s Day? Include your male friends, uncles, grandfathers, and neighbours. All those who have cared for you and had a positive influence on you.
Make Father’s Day Extra Special This Year
We hope you’ve found this exploration of the history of Father’s Day of interest. Perhaps it has inspired some ideas or a special gift that is a little different this year. Do check out our range of hampers and gift boxes, ideal for Father's Day gifts.
We just know you’ll find something that he’ll love!
