Father 's Day - wikipedia Father 's Day This article is about the celebration. For other uses, see Father 's Day ( disambiguation ). This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. ( June 2016 ) Father 's Day Observed by 40 + countries Type Worldwide Significance Honors fathers and fatherhood Date Varies per country Frequency Annual Related to Children 's Day, Siblings Day, Mother 's Day, Parents ' Day, Grandparents Day Father 's Day is a celebration honoring fathers and celebrating fatherhood, paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in society. In Catholic Europe, it has been celebrated on March 19 ( St. Joseph 's Day ) since the Middle Ages. This celebration was brought by the Spanish and Portuguese to Latin America, where March 19 is often still used for it, though many countries in Europe and the Americas have adopted the U.S. date, which is the third Sunday of June ( falling June 18 in 2017 ). It is celebrated on various days in many parts of the world, most commonly in the months of March, April and June. It complements similar celebrations honoring family members, such as Mother 's Day, Siblings Day and Grandparents Day. Contents 1 History and traditions 1.1 Early history 1.2 In the US 1.2. 1 Beginnings 1.2. 2 Failed attempts at establishing a Father 's Day 1.2. 3 Establishment of the holiday 2 Spelling 3 Dates around the world 4 International history and traditions 4.1 Argentina 4.2 Aruba 4.3 Australia 4.4 Austria 4.5 Belgium 4.6 Brazil 4.7 Canada 4.8 China 4.9 Costa Rica 4.10 Croatia 4.11 Denmark 4.12 Estonia 4.13 Finland 4.14 France 4.15 Germany 4.16 Haiti 4.17 Hong Kong 4.18 Hungary 4.19 India 4.20 Indonesia 4.21 Ireland 4.22 Israel 4.23 Italy 4.24 Japan 4.25 Kazakhstan 4.26 Kenya 4.27 Korea 4.28 Latvia 4.29 Lithuania 4.30 Macao 4.31 Malaysia 4.32 Malta 4.33 Mexico 4.34 Mongolia 4.35 Nepal 4.36 Netherlands 4.37 New Zealand 4.38 Norway 4.39 Pakistan 4.40 Peru 4.41 Philippines 4.42 Poland 4.43 Portugal 4.44 Roman Catholic tradition 4.45 Romania 4.46 Russia 4.47 American Samoa and Samoa 4.48 Seychelles 4.49 Singapore 4.50 Slovakia 4.51 South Africa 4.52 South Sudan 4.53 Spain 4.54 Sri Lanka 4.55 Sudan 4.56 Sweden 4.57 Taiwan 4.58 Thailand 4.59 Trinidad and Tobago 4.60 Turkey 4.61 United Arab Emirates 4.62 United Kingdom 4.63 United States of America 4.64 Ukraine 4.65 Venezuela 5 See also 6 References 6.1 Bibliography 7 External links History and traditions Early History A customary day for the celebration of fatherhood in Catholic Europe is known to date back to at least the Middle Ages, and it is observed on 19 March, as the feast day of Saint Joseph, who is referred to as the fatherly Nutritor Domini ( `` Nourisher of the Lord '' ) in Catholicism and `` the putative father of Jesus '' in southern European tradition. This celebration was brought to the Americans by the Spanish and Portuguese, and in Latin America, Father 's Day is still celebrated on 19 March. The Catholic church actively supported the custom of a celebration of fatherhood on St. Joseph 's day from either the last years of the 14th century or from the early 15th century, apparently on the initiative of the Franciscans. In the Coptic Church, the celebration of fatherhood is also observed on St Joseph 's Day, but the Copts observe this celebration on July 20. This Coptic celebration may date back to the fifth century. In the U.S. Beginnings Father 's Day was not celebrated in the US, outside Catholic traditions, until the 20th century. As a civic celebration in the US, it was inaugurated in the early 20th century to complement Mother 's Day by celebrating fathers and male parenting. Bangladeshi father with son and daughter After Anna Jarvis ' successful promotion of Mother 's Day in Grafton, West Virginia, the first observance of a `` Father 's Day '' was held on July 5, 1908, in Fairmont, West Virginia, in the Williams Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church South, now known as Central United Methodist Church. Grace Golden Clayton was mourning the loss of her father, when in December 1907, the Monongah Mining Disaster in nearby Monongah killed 361 men, 250 of them fathers, leaving around a thousand fatherless children. Clayton suggested that her pastor Robert Thomas Webb honor all those fathers. Clayton 's event did not have repercussions outside Fairmont for several reasons, among them : the city was overwhelmed by other events, the celebration was never promoted outside the town itself and no proclamation of it was made by the city council. Also, two events overshadowed this event : the celebration of Independence Day July 4, 1908, with 12,000 attendants and several shows including a hot air balloon event, which took over the headlines in the following days, and the death of a 16 - year - old girl on July 4. The local church and council were overwhelmed and they did not even think of promoting the event, and it was not celebrated again for many years. The original sermon was not reproduced by the press and it was lost. Finally, Clayton was a quiet person, who never promoted the event and never talked to other persons about it. Failed attempts at establishing a Father 's Day In 1911, Jane Addams proposed that a citywide Father 's Day celebration be held in Chicago, but she was turned down. In 1912, there was a Father 's Day celebration in Vancouver, Washington, suggested by Methodist pastor J.J. Berringer of the Irvington Methodist Church. They mistakenly believed that they had been the first to celebrate such a day. They followed a 1911 suggestion by the Portland Oregonian. Harry C. Meek, a member of Lions Clubs International, claimed that he had first come up with the idea for Father 's Day in 1915. Meek said that the third Sunday in June was chosen because it was his birthday. The Lions Club has named him the `` Originator of Father 's Day ''. Meek made many efforts to promote Father 's Day and make it an official holiday. Establishment of the holiday On June 19, 1910, a Father 's Day celebration was held at the YMCA in Spokane, Washington by Sonora Smart Dodd. Her father, the civil war veteran William Jackson Smart, was a single parent who raised his six children there. She was also a member of Old Centenary Presbyterian Church ( now Knox Presbyterian Church ), where she first proposed the idea. After hearing a sermon about Jarvis ' Mother 's Day in 1909 at Central Methodist Episcopal Church, she told her pastor that fathers should have a similar holiday to honor them. Although she initially suggested June 5, her father 's birthday, the pastors did not have enough time to prepare their sermons, and the celebration was deferred to the third Sunday in June. Several local clergymen accepted the idea, and on June 19, 1910, the first Father 's Day, `` sermons honoring fathers were presented throughout the city ''. However, in the 1920s, Dodd stopped promoting the celebration because she was studying at the Art Institute of Chicago, and it faded into relative obscurity, even in Spokane. In the 1930s, Dodd returned to Spokane and started promoting the celebration again, raising awareness at a national level. She had the help of those trade groups that would benefit most from the holiday, for example the manufacturers of ties, tobacco pipes, and any traditional present for fathers. By 1938, she had the help of the Father 's Day Council, founded by the New York Associated Men 's Wear Retailers to consolidate and systematize the holiday 's commercial promotion. Americans resisted the holiday for its first few decades, viewing it as nothing more than an attempt by merchants to replicate the commercial success of Mother 's Day, and newspapers frequently featured cynical and sarcastic attacks and jokes. However, the said merchants remained resilient and even incorporated these attacks into their advertisements. By the mid-1980s, the Father 's Day Council wrote, `` (... ) ( Father 's Day ) has become a Second Christmas for all the men 's gift - oriented industries. '' A bill to accord national recognition of the holiday was introduced in Congress in 1913. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson went to Spokane to speak at a Father 's Day celebration and he wanted to make it an officially recognized federal holiday, but Congress resisted, fearing that it would become commercialized. US President Calvin Coolidge recommended in 1924 that the day be observed throughout the entire nation, but he stopped short at issuing a national proclamation. Two earlier attempts to formally recognize the holiday had been defeated by Congress. In 1957, Maine Senator Margaret Chase Smith wrote a Father 's Day proposal accusing Congress of ignoring fathers for 40 years while honoring mothers, thus `` ( singling ) out just one of our two parents ''. In 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson issued the first presidential proclamation honoring 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. In addition to Father 's Day, International Men 's Day is celebrated in many countries on November 19 in honor of men and boys who are not fathers. Spelling In the United States, Dodd used the `` Fathers ' Day '' spelling on her original petition for the holiday, but the spelling `` Father 's Day '' was already used in 1913 when a bill was introduced to the U.S. Congress as the first attempt to establish the holiday, and it was still spelled the same way when its creator was commended in 2008 by the U.S. Congress. Dates around the world The officially recognized date of Father 's Day varies from country to country. This section lists some significant examples, in order of date of observance. Gregorian calendar Occurrence Dates Country February 23 Russia ( Defender of the Fatherland Day ) * St Joseph 's Day March 19 Andorra ( Dia del Pare ) Angola Belgium ( Antwerp ) Bolivia Croatia Honduras Italy ( Festa del papà ) Liechtenstein Mozambique ( Dia do Pai ) Portugal ( Dia do Pai ) Spain ( Día del Padre ) Switzerland ( Canton Ticino ) May 7 Kazakhstan May 8 South Korea ( Parents ' Day ) Second Sunday in May May 8, 2016 May 14, 2017 May 13, 2018 Romania ( Ziua Tatălui ) Third Sunday in May May 15, 2016 May 21, 2017 May 20, 2018 Tonga Ascension Day May 5, 2016 May 25, 2017 May 10, 2018 Germany First Sunday in June Jun 5, 2016 Jun 4, 2017 Jun 3, 2018 Lithuania ( Tėvo diena ) Switzerland June 5 Denmark ( also Constitution Day ) Second Sunday in June Jun 12, 2016 Jun 11, 2017 Jun 10, 2018 Austria Belgium Third Sunday in June Jun 19, 2016 Jun 18, 2017 Jun 17, 2018 Jun 16, 2019 Afghanistan Algeria Albania Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Aruba Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belize Bermuda Bosnia and Herzegovina Brunei Burkina Faso Cambodia Canada Chad Chile China * * Colombia Comoros Costa Rica Cuba Curaçao Cyprus Czech Republic Dominica Ecuador Ethiopia France Georgia Ghana Greece Guyana Hong Kong Hungary India Ireland Isle of Man Jamaica Japan Kenya Kuwait Laos Macao Mali Madagascar Malaysia Maldives Malta Mauritius Mexico Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Netherlands Nigeria Oman Pakistan Panama Paraguay Peru Philippines Puerto Rico Qatar Saint Lucia Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Saudi Arabia Senegal Singapore Sierra Leone Slovakia South Africa Sri Lanka Suriname Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Uganda Ukraine United Kingdom United States Venezuela Vietnam Zambia Zimbabwe June 17 El Salvador Guatemala June 21 Egypt Jordan Lebanon Palestine Syria United Arab Emirates June 22 Guernsey Jersey June 23 Nicaragua Poland Last Sunday in June Jun 26, 2016 Jun 25, 2017 Jun 24, 2018 Haiti Second Sunday in July Jul 10, 2016 Jul 9, 2017 Jul 8, 2018 Uruguay Last Sunday in July Jul 31, 2016 Jul 30, 2017 Jul 29, 2018 Dominican Republic August 8 Taiwan Mongolia Second Sunday in August Aug 14, 2016 Aug 13, 2017 Aug 12, 2018 Brazil Samoa Last Monday in August Aug 29, 2016 Aug 28, 2017 Aug 27, 2018 South Sudan First Sunday in September Sep 4, 2016 Sep 3, 2017 Sep 2, 2018 Australia Fiji New Zealand Papua New Guinea Second Sunday in September Sep 11, 2016 Sep 10, 2017 Sep 9, 2018 Latvia First Sunday in October Oct 2, 2016 Oct 1, 2017 Oct 7, 2018 Luxembourg Second Sunday in November Nov 13, 2016 Nov 12, 2017 Nov 11, 2018 Estonia ( Isadepäev ) Finland ( Isänpäivä ) Iceland Norway Sweden November 12 Indonesia December 5 Thailand ( The birthday of King Bhumibol ) December 26 Bulgaria Hindu calendar Definition Sample dates Country / territory Bhadrapada Amavasya ( Gokarna Aunsi ) Between August 30 and September 30 Nepal Islamic calendar Occurrence Sample dates Country / territory 13 Rajab, Ali Ibn Abi Talib birthday April 21, 2016 April 10, 2017 Iran Kuwait Bahrain Iraq Oman Qatar Egypt Yemen Syria Lebanon Somalia Sudan Mauritania * Officially, as the name suggests, the holiday celebrates people who are serving or were serving the Russian Armed Forces ( both men and women ). But the congratulations are traditionally, nationally accepted by all fathers, other adult men and male children as well. * * In China during the Republican period prior to 1949, Father 's Day on August 8 was first held in Shanghai in 1945. International History and traditions Argentina Father 's Day in Argentina is celebrated on the third Sunday of June. There have been attempts to change the date to August 24, to commemorate the day on which the Father of the Nation José de San Martín became a father. In 1953, the proposal to celebrate Father 's Day in all educational establishments on August 24, in honor of José de San Martín, was raised to the General Direction of Schools of Mendoza Province. The day was celebrated for the first time in 1958, on the third Sunday of June, but it was not included in the school calendars due to pressure from several groups. Schools in the Mendoza Province continued to celebrate Father 's Day on August 24, and, in 1982, the provincial governor passed a law declaring Father 's Day in the province to be celebrated on that day. In 2004, a proposal to change the date to August 24 were presented to the Argentine Chamber of Deputies as a single, unified project. Aruba In Aruba, Father 's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June and is not a public holiday. Australia In Australia, Father 's Day is celebrated on the first Sunday of September, which is the first Sunday of Spring in Australia, and is not a public holiday. At school, children handcraft their present for their fathers. Consumer goods companies have all sorts of special offers for fathers : socks, ties, electronics, suits, and men 's healthcare products. Most families present fathers with gifts and cards, and share a meal to show appreciation, much like Mother 's Day. YMCA Victoria continues the tradition of honouring the role fathers and father figures play in parenting through the annual awarding of Local Community Father of the Year in 32 municipalities in Victoria. The Father 's Day Council of Victoria annually recognises fathers in the Father of the Year Award. Austria In Austria, Father 's Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of June and it is not a public holiday. Belgium In Belgium, Father 's Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of June and it is not a public holiday. Brazil In Brazil Father 's Day ( Dia dos Pais, in Portuguese ) is celebrated three months after Mother 's Day, on the second Sunday of August. Publicist Sylvio Bhering picked the day in honor of Saint Joachim, patron of fathers. While it is not an official holiday ( see Public holidays in Brazil ), it is widely observed and typically involves spending time with and giving gifts to one 's father or father figure. Canada In Canada, Father 's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June and is not a public holiday. Father 's Day typically involves spending time with one 's father or the father figures in one 's life. Small family gatherings and the giving of gifts may be part of the festivities organized for Father 's Day. China In People 's Republic of China, the official Father 's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June and is not a public holiday. This date was set according to international norms. Prior to the People 's Republic, when the Republic of China ( 1912 - 1949 ) governed from Nanjing, Father 's Day was celebrated on August 8. This was determined by the fact that the eighth ( ba ) day of the eighth ( ba ) month makes two `` eights '' ( 八 八, ba - ba ), which sounds similar to the colloquial word for `` daddy '' ( ba - ba, 爸爸 ). It is still celebrated on this date in areas still under the control of the Republic of China, including in Taiwan. Costa Rica In Costa Rica, the Unidad Social Cristiana party presented a bill to change the celebration of Father 's Day from the third Sunday of June to March 19, the day of Saint Joseph. That was in order to give tribute to this saint, who gave his name to the capital of the country San José, Costa Rica, and so family heads will be able to celebrate the Father 's Day at the same time as the Feast of Saint Joseph the Worker. The official date is still the third Sunday of June. Croatia In Croatia, according to the Roman Catholic tradition, fathers are celebrated on Saint Joseph 's Day ( Dan svetog Josipa ), March 19. It is not a public holiday. Denmark In Denmark, Father 's Day is celebrated on June 5. It coincides with Constitution Day. Estonia In Estonia, Father 's day ( `` Isadepäev '' ) is celebrated on the second Sunday of November. It is an established flag day and a national holiday. Finland In Finland, Father 's Day ( Isänpäivä, Fars dag ) is celebrated on the second Sunday of November. It is an established flag day. France In France lighter manufacturer `` Flaminaire '' introduced the idea of father 's day first in 1949 for commercial reasons. Director `` Marcel Quercia '' wanted to sell their lighter in France. In 1950, they introduced `` la Fête des Pères '', which would take place every third Sunday of June ( following the American example ). Their slogan `` Nos papas nous l'ont dit, pour la fête des pères, ils désirent tous un Flaminaire '' ( Our fathers told us, for father 's day, they all want a Flaminaire ). In 1952, the holiday was officially decreed. A national father 's day committee was set up to give a prize for fathers that deserved it most ( originally, candidates were nominated by the social services of each town hall 's / mayor 's office ) ; This complements `` la Fête des Mères '' ( Mother 's day ) which was made official in France in 1928 and added to the calendar in Vichy in 1941. Germany Vatertag In Germany, Father 's Day ( Vatertag ) is celebrated differently from other parts of the world. It is always celebrated on Ascension Day ( the Thursday forty days after Easter ), which is a federal holiday. Regionally, it is also called men 's day, Männertag, or gentlemen 's day, Herrentag. It is tradition for groups of males ( young and old but usually excluding pre-teenage boys ) to do a hiking tour with one or more smaller wagons, Bollerwagen, pulled by manpower. In the wagons are wine or beer ( according to region ) and traditional regional food, Hausmannskost. Many men use this holiday as an opportunity to get drunk. According to the Federal Statistical Office of Germany, alcohol - related traffic accidents multiply by three on this day. The tradition of getting drunk is especially prevalent in Eastern Germany. These traditions are probably rooted in Christian Ascension Day 's processions to the farmlands, which has been celebrated since the 18th century. Men would be seated in a wooden cart and carried to the village 's plaza, and the mayor would award a prize to the father who had the most children, usually a big piece of ham. In the late 19th century the religious component was progressively lost, especially in urban areas such as Berlin, and groups of men organized walking excursions with beer and ham. By the 20th century, alcohol consumption had become a major part of the tradition. Many people will take the following Friday off at work, and some schools are closed on that Friday as well ; many people then use the resulting four - day - long weekend for a short vacation. Haiti In Haiti, Father 's Day ( Fête des peres ) is celebrated on the last Sunday of June and is not a public holiday. Fathers are recognized and celebrated on this day with cards, gifts, breakfast, lunch brunch or early Sunday dinner ; whether enjoying the day at the beach or mountains, spending family time or doing favourite activities. Children exclaim `` bonne fête papa '', while everyone wishes all fathers `` bonne Fête des Pères ''. ( Happy Father 's Day ) Hong Kong In Hong Kong, Father 's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June and is not a public holiday. Hungary In Hungary, Father 's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June and is not a public holiday. India India traditionally has a two - week celebration since ancient days dedicated to celebrate ancestors called the Pitru Paksha. Father 's Day is not celebrated in all of India. But is observed on the same day as the USA, the third Sunday of June by mostly westernized urban centers. The event is not a public holiday. The day is usually celebrated only in bigger cities of India like Chennai, Mumbai, New Delhi, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Hyderabad and others. After this day was first observed in the United States in 1908 and gradually gained popularity, Indian metropolitan cities, much later, followed suit by recognising this event. In India, the day is usually celebrated with children giving gifts like greeting cards, electronic gadgets, shirts, coffee mugs or books to their fathers. Indonesia In Indonesia, Father 's Day is celebrated on November 12 and is not a public holiday. Father 's Day in Indonesia was first declared in 2006 in Solo City Hall attended by hundreds of people from various community groups, including people from community of inter-religion communication. Because of its recent declaration, there is not very much hype about the celebration, compared to the celebration of Mother 's Day on December 22. Ireland In Ireland, Father 's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June and is not a public holiday. Israel In Israel, Father 's Day is usually celebrated on May 1 together with Workers ' Day or Labour Day. Italy In Italy, according to the Roman Catholic tradition, fathers are celebrated on Saint Joseph 's Day, commonly called Feast of Saint Joseph ( Festa di San Giuseppe ), March 19. It was a public holiday until 1977. Japan Main article : Public holidays in Japan In Japan, Father 's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June and is not a public holiday. Kazakhstan Kazakhstan continues the Soviet Union 's tradition of celebrating Defender of the Fatherland Day instead of Father 's Day like in Russia and other former soviet countries. It is usually called `` Men 's Day '' and it is considered equivalent of Father 's Day. In Kazakhstan this day is celebrated on May 7. Kenya In Kenya, Father 's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June and is not a public holiday. Korea In South Korea, Parents ' day is celebrated on May 8 and is not a public holiday. Latvia In Latvia, Father 's Day ( Tēvu diena ) is celebrated on the second Sunday of September and is not a public holiday. In Latvia people did not always celebrate this day because of the USSR 's influence with its own holidays. This day in Latvia was ' officially born ' in 2008 when it was celebrated and marked in the calendar for the first time on September 14 ( second September Sunday ) to promote the idea that man as the father must be satisfied and proud of his family and children, also, the father is important to gratitude and loving words from his family for devoted to continuous altruistic concerns. Because this day is new to the country it does not have established unique traditions, but people borrow ideas from other country 's Father 's Day traditions to congratulate fathers in Latvia. Lithuania In Lithuania, Father 's Day ( Tėvo diena ) is celebrated on the first Sunday of June and is a public holiday. Macao In Macau, Father 's Day ( Dia do Pai ) is celebrated on the third Sunday of June and is not a public holiday. Malaysia In Malaysia, Father 's Day falls on the third Sunday of June. Malta Malta has followed the international trend and celebrates Father 's Day on the third Sunday in June. As in the case of Mother 's Day, the introduction of Father 's Day celebrations in Malta was encouraged by Frans H Said ( Uncle Frans of the children 's radio programmes ). The first mention of Father 's Day was in June 1977, and the day is now part of the local events calendar. ( The Times of Malta 11 June 2017 ) ( Il - Mument - Maltese newspaper - 18 June 2017 ) Mexico In Mexico, Father 's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June and is not a public holiday. Mongolia The Mongolian Men 's Association began the celebration of Father 's Day on 18 March. Nepal Main article : Gokarna Aunsi The Newar population ( natives of Kathmandu valley ) in Nepal honors fathers on the day of kusa aunsi, which occurs in late August or early September, depending on the year, since it depends on the lunar calendar. The Western - inspired celebration of Father 's Day that was imported into the country is always celebrated on the same day as Gokarna Aunsi. The rest of the population has also begun to celebrate the Gokarna Aunsi day It is commonly known as Abu ya Khwa Swoyegu in Nepal Bhasa or Buwaako mukh herne din ( बुवाको मुख हेर्ने दिन ) in Nepali ( literally `` day for looking at father 's face '' ). On the new moon day ( Amavasya ) it is traditional to pay respect to one 's deceased father ; Hindus go to the Shiva temple of Gokarneswor Mahadev, in Gokarna, a suburb of Kathmandu while Buddhists go to Jan Bahal ( Seto Machhendranath or white Tara ) temple in Kathmandu. Traditionally, in the Kathmandu Valley, the south - western corner is reserved for women and women - related rituals, and the north - eastern is for men and men - related rituals. The worship place for Mata Tirtha Aunsi ( `` Mother Pilgrimage New Moon '' ) is located in Mata Tirtha in the south - western half of the valley, while the worship place for Gokarna Aunsi is located in the north - eastern half. This division is reflected in many aspects of the life in the Kathmandu Valley. Netherlands In the Netherlands, Father 's Day ( Vaderdag ) is celebrated on the third Sunday of June and is not a public holiday. Traditionally, as on Mother 's Day, fathers get breakfast in bed made by their children and families gather together and have dinner, usually at the grandparents ' house. In recent years, families also started having dinner out, and as on Mother 's Day, it is one of the busiest days for restaurants. At school, children handcraft their present for their fathers. Consumer goods companies have all sorts of special offers for fathers : socks, ties, electronics, suits, and men 's healthcare products. New Zealand In New Zealand, Father 's Day is celebrated on the first Sunday of September and it is not a public holiday. Fathers ' Day seems to have been first observed at St Matthew 's Church, Auckland on 14 July 1929 and first appeared in commercial advertising the following year. By 1931 other churches had adopted the day. In 1935 much of Australia moved to mark the day at the beginning of September and New Zealand followed, with a Wellington advert in 1937, a Christchurch Salvation Army service in 1938 and in Auckland from 1939. Norway In Norway, Father 's day ( Farsdag ), is celebrated on the second Sunday of November. It is not a public holiday. Pakistan Father 's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June. The Rutgers WPF launched a campaign titled ' Greening Pakistan - Promoting Responsible Fatherhood ' on Father 's Day ( Sunday June 18, 2017 ) across Pakistan to promote active fatherhood and responsibility for the care and upbringing of children. Father 's Day is not a public holiday in Pakistan. Peru In Peru, Father 's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June and is not a public holiday. People usually give a present to their fathers and spend time with him mostly during a family meal. Philippines In the Philippines, Father 's Day is officially celebrated every first Monday of December, but it is not a public holiday. It is more widely observed by the public on the 3rd Sunday of June perhaps due to American influence. Poland In Poland, Father 's Day is celebrated on June 23 and is not a public holiday. Portugal Father 's Day ( `` Dia do Pai '' ) is celebrated on March 19 ( see Roman Catholic tradition below ) in Portugal. Father 's Day is not a bank holiday. Roman Catholic tradition In the Roman Catholic tradition, Fathers are celebrated on Saint Joseph 's Day, commonly called the Feast of Saint Joseph, March 19, though in certain countries Father 's Day has become a secular celebration. It is also common for Catholics to honor their `` spiritual father, '' their parish priest, on Father 's Day. Romania Beginning with 2010, in Romania, Father 's Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of May and it is recognized officially by the state. Out of the 27 states in the European Union, it was the only one without an official Father 's Day. Law 319 / 2009 made both Mother 's Day and Father 's Day official in Romania, and it was passed thanks to the campaigning from the Alliance Fighting Discrimination Against Fathers ( TATA ) Romanian Father 's day for 2012 was celebrated on May 13. Russia Russia continues the Soviet Union 's tradition of celebrating Defender of the Fatherland Day instead of Father 's Day. It is usually called `` Men 's Day '' and it is considered the Russian equivalent of Father 's Day. American Samoa and Samoa In Samoa, Father 's Day is celebrated on the second Sunday in August, and as a recognised national holiday on the Monday following. Seychelles In Seychelles, Father 's Day is celebrated on June 16 and is not a public holiday. Singapore In Singapore, Father 's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June but is not a public holiday, to celebrate all fathers for their numerous contributions. Slovakia In Slovakia, Father 's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June.It is not a public holiday South Africa In South Africa, Father 's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June. It is not a public holiday. South Sudan In South Sudan, Father 's Day is celebrated on the last Monday of August. The president, Salva Kiir Mayardit, proclaimed it before August 27, 2012. First celebrated on August 27, 2012, Father 's Day was not celebrated in South Sudan in 2011 due to the country 's independence. Spain Father 's Day, El Día del Padre, is observed on the feast day of Saint Joseph, which is March 19. It is celebrated as a public holiday in some regions of Spain. Sri lanka Father 's Day ( In sinhala : Piyawarunge dhinaya, පියවරුන්ගේ දිනය & in Tamil : Thanthaiyar Thinam, தந்தையர் தினம் ), is observed on the third Sunday of June. It is not a public holiday. Many schools hold special events to honor fathers. Sudan In Sudan, Father 's Day ( عيد الأب ), is celebrated on the twenty - first of June. Sweden In Sweden, Father 's day ( Fars dag ), is celebrated on the second Sunday of November, but is not a public holiday. Taiwan Main article : Public holidays in Taiwan In Taiwan, Father 's Day is not an official holiday, but is widely observed on August 8, the eighth day of the eighth month of the year. In Mandarin Chinese, the pronunciation of the number eight is bā, and the pronunciation is very similar to the character `` 爸 '' `` bà '', which means `` Pa '' or `` dad ''. The eighth day of the eighth month ( bā - bā ) is a pun for dad ( 爸爸 or `` bàba '' ). The Taiwanese, therefore, sometimes refer to August 8 as `` Bābā Holiday '' as a pun for `` Dad 's Holiday '' ( 爸爸 節 ) or the more formal `` Father 's Day '' ( 父親 節 ). Thailand In Thailand, the birthday of the king, is set as Father 's Day. December 5 is the birthday of the late king Bhumibol Adulyadej ( Rama IX ). Traditionally, Thais celebrate by giving their father or grandfather a canna flower ( ดอก พุทธรักษา Dok Buddha Ruksa ), which is considered a masculine flower ; however, this is not as commonly practiced today. Thai people will wear yellow on this day to show respect for the late king, because yellow is the color of the day for Monday, the day King Bhumibol Adulyadej was born. Thais flood the Sanam Luang, a massive park in front of the palace, to watch the king give his annual speech, and often stay until the evening, when there is a national ceremony. Thais will light candles and show respect to the king by declaring their faith. This ceremony happens in almost every village in Thailand, and even overseas at Thai organizations. It first gained nationwide popularity in the 1980s as part of a campaign by Prime Minister Prem Tinsulanonda to promote Thailand 's royal family. Mother 's Day is celebrated on the birthday of Queen Sirikit, August 12. Trinidad and Tobago In Trinidad and Tobago, Father 's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday in June and is not a public holiday. Turkey In Turkey, Father 's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday in June and is not a public holiday. United Arab Emirates In United Arab Emirates, Father 's Day is celebrated on June 21, generally coinciding with midsummer 's day. United Kingdom In the United Kingdom Father 's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June. The day does not have a long tradition ; The English Year ( 2006 ) states that it entered British popular culture `` sometime after the Second World War, not without opposition ''. United States of America Main article : Father 's Day ( United States ) In the USA, Father 's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June. Typically, families gather to celebrate the father figures in their lives. In recent years, retailers have adapted to the holiday by promoting greeting cards and gifts such as electronics and tools. Schools ( if in session ) and other children 's programs commonly have activities to make Father 's Day gifts. The U.S. Open golf tournament is scheduled to finish on Father 's Day, as was the 2016 NBA Finals. Ukraine In Ukraine, Father 's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of September. Venezuela In Venezuela, Father 's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June and is not a public holiday. Traditionally, as on Mother 's Day, families gather together and have lunch, usually at the grandparents ' house. In recent years, families also started having lunch out, and as on Mother 's Day, it is one of the busiest days for restaurants. At school, children handcraft their present for their fathers. Consumer goods companies have all sorts of special offers for fathers : electronics, suits, and men 's healthcare products. See also Holidays portal Mother 's Day National Grandparents Day References ^ Jump up to : Myers, 1972, p. 185 Jump up ^ Butler, Joey. `` Father 's Day has Methodist ties ''. The United Methodist Church. Retrieved June 15, 2014. On July 5, 1908, a Father 's Day sermon was preached at Williams Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church, South, thanks to the efforts of Grace Golden Clayton. In December 1907, a terrible mine explosion in nearby Monongah claimed the lives of more than 360 men. Most of them had families, and the tragedy left 1,000 children fatherless. Clayton was distraught by the thought of all those children growing up without a father 's guidance, and she wanted to do something to honor the importance of fatherhood. She asked her pastor to set aside a special day to commemorate fathers. She chose the Sunday closest to the birthday of her late father, also a Methodist preacher. Clayton chose the Sunday nearest the birthday of her father, Methodist minister Fletcher Golden. ^ Jump up to : Smith, Vicki ( June 15, 2003 ). `` The first Father 's Day ''. The Journal. Retrieved November 7, 2006. ^ Jump up to : Barth, Kelly ( June 21, 1987 ). `` First Father 's Day service in 1908 ''. Dominion Post ( Morgantown, West Virginia ). Retrieved November 7, 2006. ^ Jump up to : Reverend D.D. Meighen ( June 5, 1908 ). `` The First Father 's Day Service occurred in Fairmont, West Virginia, on July 5, 1908, at Williams Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church ''. Retrieved September 4, 2010. ^ Jump up to : Larossa, 1997. pp. 172 -- 173 ^ Jump up to : Schmidt, 1997, p. 276. Jump up ^ `` Father 's Day ( United States ) ''. Retrieved May 30, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Father 's Day Turns 100 Years Old '' ( PDF ). Spokane Regional Convention & Visitor Bureau. June 8, 2010. Retrieved August 22, 2016. Jump up ^ Butler, Joey. `` Father 's Day has Methodist ties ''. The United Methodist Church. Retrieved June 15, 2014. In 1909 in Spokane, Wash., Sonora Smart Dodd listened to a Mother 's Day sermon at Central Methodist Episcopal Church. Dodd 's own mother had died 11 years earlier, and her father had raised their six children alone. Dodd felt moved to honor her father, and fathers everywhere, with a special day, as well. She proposed her idea to local religious leaders, and it gained wide acceptance. June 19, 1910, was designated as the first Father 's Day, and sermons honoring fathers were preached throughout the city. Jump up ^ Schmidt, 1997. p. 278 Jump up ^ Schmidt, 1997. p. 279 Jump up ^ Schmidt, 1997. pp. 275, 283 -- 284, 286, 288, 290, 292 Jump up ^ Schmidt, 1997. p. 275, 288 -- 290 Jump up ^ Schmidt, 1997. pp. 280 -- 283 ; Larossa, 1997. p. 174 Jump up ^ Schmidt, 1997. p. 283 -- 290 Jump up ^ Schmidt, 1997. p. 286 ^ Jump up to : `` Father to have his day ''. The New York Times. October 3, 1913. (... ) a bill providing that `` The first Sunday in June in each and every year hereafter be designated as Father 's Day (... ) '' ^ Jump up to : Myers, 1972. pp. 186 -- 187 ^ Jump up to : Nicholas K. Geranios ( Associated Press ) ( June 17, 2007 ), `` Father 's Day -- The un-Spokane history of Father 's Day '', HamptonRoads.com ^ Jump up to : `` Father Finally Granted A Day '', Nashua Telegraph, part of The Telegraph, June 18, 1977 Jump up ^ Schmidt, 1997. pp. 275 -- 276 Jump up ^ `` H. RES. 1274. Commending Sonora Smart Dodd for her contribution in recognizing the importance of Father 's Day and recognizing the important role fathers play in our families. ''. Library of Congress. June 12, 2008. ^ Jump up to : Robert A. Saunders, Vlad Strukov ( 2010 ), Historical Dictionary of the Russian Federation, Historical Dictionaries of Europe, Historical dictionaries of French history, 78 ( illustrated ed. ), Scarecrow Press, p. 246, ISBN 9780810854758 Jump up ^ `` 19. ožujka -- dan kad se slave očevi '' ( in Croatian ). dalje.com. Retrieved March 18, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Se instituye el Día del Padre, Decreto Número 13 '' ( in Spanish ). February 9, 1960. Archived from the original on August 9, 2007. Retrieved July 19, 2008. ^ Jump up to : `` Romania Celebrates Father 's Day on Second Sunday of May ''. Bucharest : mediafax.ro. May 4, 2010. ^ Jump up to : `` Fars Dag '' ( in Danish ). Dansk Historisk Fællesråd. Archived from the original on August 4, 2016. Retrieved June 20, 2010. ^ Jump up to : `` Argentina, el origen del Día del Padre, ayer Google en español lo tuvo en su Portal ''. June 16, 2008. Retrieved July 12, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Días Nacionales en Chile. ''. feriadoschilenos.cl. ^ Jump up to : `` Presentan en Costa Rica proyecto de ley para celebrar día del padre el día de San José ''. ACI Prensa. May 26, 2005. Jump up ^ `` Principales efemérides. Mes Junio '' ( in Spanish ). Unión de Periodistas de Cuba. Retrieved June 7, 2008. Jump up ^ Notimex ( June 14, 2008 ). `` Preparados los capitalinos para festejar el día del padre ''. La Crónica de Hoy. Retrieved June 23, 2008. ( June 15, 2008 was third Sunday of June ) ( in Spanish ) Jump up ^ `` Días Festivos para el mes de Junio del 2008 '' ( in Spanish ). Biblioteca Nacional de Panamá. Retrieved June 23, 2008. link dead 18 June 2017 Jump up ^ `` Calendario Cívico Escolar '' ( in Spanish ). Dirección Regional de Educación de Lima Metropolitana. Retrieved June 7, 2008. Jump up ^ Jerome Aning ( June 14, 2008 ). `` Daughter of missing NDF consultant believes he 's still alive ''. Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved June 23, 2008. ( June 15, 2008 was third sunday of June ) Jump up ^ Fathers Day Fest, Ukrainian Nationals Soccer Club ^ Jump up to : Simpson, Jacqueline ; Roud, Steve ( 2000 ). A Dictionary of English Folklore. Oxford : Oxford University Press. p. 120. ISBN 0 - 19 - 969104 - 5. Jump up ^ `` 7 Ideas for a Zimbabwean Father 's Day ''. Zimbablog. Jump up ^ `` 17 de Junio, Día del Padre en El Salvador ''. Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de El Salvador. May 8, 1969. Archived from the original on March 27, 2008. Retrieved June 7, 2008. Asamblea Legislativa de la República de El Salvador. 08 de mayo de 1969 ( in Spanish ) Jump up ^ Marta Altolaguirre ( May 17, 2008 ). `` Reflexiones en el Día del Padre ''. El Periódico. Jump up ^ Tina Sinatra, Jeff Coplon ( 2000 ), My father 's daughter : a memoir ( illustrated ed. ), Simon & Schuster, p. 20, ISBN 9780684870762, I ( Tina Sinatra ) was born ( in Lebannon ) on June 20, 1948 : Father 's Day. ^ Jump up to : Paul M. Handley ( 2006 ). The King Never Smiles : a biography of Thailand 's Bhumibol Adulyadej. Yale University Press. p. 288. ISBN 9780300106824. ( online version ) ^ Jump up to : P. Ferguson ( 2007 ). `` Festivals and ceremonies ''. World and Its Peoples : Eastern and Southern Asia. Marshall Cavendish Corporation. p. 536. ISBN 9780761476313. ^ Jump up to : `` Sesiones ordinarias 2004 Orden del día n ° 1798 : Día del Padre. Institúyese como tal el día 24 de agosto de cada año. ''. Cámara de Diputados de la Nación. November 7, 2008. Retrieved June 7, 2008. la presión de diversos grupos determinó el `` olvido '' de incluir esta disposición en el calendario escolar a partir de 1957, y la omisión fue aprovechada para imponer el tercer domingo de junio como el Día del Padre norteamericano, en homenaje a mister John Bruce Dodd (... ) instituir el día 24 de agosto como el destinado a la celebración del Día del Padre en homenaje al general José de San Martín, padre de la patria. Jump up ^ `` Father 's Day Council of Victoria Inc. ''. Father 's Day Council of Victoria Inc. Jump up ^ Rodolfo Delgado Valverde. `` Proyecto de Ley. Celebración del 19 de Marzo como Día del Padre. Expediente 15911. ''. Archived from the original on November 28, 2009. ^ Jump up to : Agence France - Presse. `` German Minister Urges Fathers Not to Get Drunk on Father 's Day ! ''. Jump up ^ `` Der Tag der gefragten Väter '', Tiroler Tageszeitung ( in German ), June 9, 2013, Bei unseren deutschen Nachbarn ist der Vatertag -- der dort zu Christi Himmelfahrt gefeiert wird -- nicht von Ausflügen mit der Familie oder kleinen Geschenken der Kinder gekennzeichnet, sondern von einer Lokaltour in feucht - fröhlicher Männerrunde. Laut dem Statistischen Bundesamt gibt es an diesem Tag auch durchschnittlich dreimal so viele durch Alkohol bedingte Verkehrsunfälle als an anderen Tagen. ^ Jump up to : `` Booze Brothers : Father 's Day Debauchery in Deutschland ''. Spiegel. May 4, 2006. Retrieved June 16, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Von modischen Herrenpartien und der Erhöhung Jesu '' ( in German ). Der Stern. May 12, 2010. Retrieved May 12, 2010. Jump up ^ `` Pints for Papa : Father 's Day in Germany Is One Big Booze Fest ''. Spiegel. Retrieved June 15, 2014. Jump up ^ `` The origin story of Father 's Day ''. Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. TNN. Jun 18, 2015. Retrieved 18 June 2016. Jump up ^ Padmakshi Rana, Gokarna Aunsi ( Father Day ), NepalHomePage Travel Guide Jump up ^ Gokarna Aunsi, the day for honouring fathers, nepalnews.com, September 8, 2002, archived from the original on September 19, 2012 Jump up ^ Bradley Mayhew ; Joseph Bindloss ( 2009 ). Lonely Planet Trekking in the Nepal Himalaya. Lonely Planet. p. 357. ISBN 978 - 1 - 74104 - 188 - 0. Retrieved May 12, 2013. Jump up ^ J.C. Heesterman ; Albert W. Van den Hoek ; Dirk H.A. Kolff ; Marianne S. Oort ( 1992 ). Ritual, State, and History in South Asia : Essays in Honour of J.C. Heesterman. BRILL. p. 786. ISBN 978 - 90 - 04 - 09467 - 3. Retrieved May 12, 2013. Jump up ^ Zealand, National Library of New. `` FATHERS ' DAY SERVICE. ( New Zealand Herald, 1929 - 07 - 13 ) ''. paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 2016 - 08 - 30. Jump up ^ Zealand, National Library of New. `` Page 27 Advertisements Column 1 ( Auckland Star, 1930 - 06 - 12 ) - Milne & Choyce ''. paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 2016 - 08 - 30. Jump up ^ `` 27 Aug 1935 - `` FATHERS ' DAY '' -- SEPTEMBER 1. ``. Trove. Retrieved 2016 - 08 - 30. Jump up ^ Zealand, National Library of New. `` Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 ( Evening Post, 1937 - 09 - 02 ) Woolworths, Wellington ''. paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 2016 - 08 - 30. Jump up ^ Zealand, National Library of New. `` Page 25 Advertisements Column 2 ( Press, 1938 - 09 - 03 ) Salvation Army, Linwood, Christchurch ''. paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 2016 - 08 - 30. Jump up ^ Zealand, National Library of New. `` FATHER 'S DAY. ( Auckland Star, 1939 - 08 - 22 ) ''. paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 2016 - 08 - 30. Jump up ^ Staff report ( June 15, 2014 ), `` Father 's Day tomorrow '', Daily Times Jump up ^ Sehrish Wasif ( June 16, 2013 ), `` Celebrating Father 's Day : Honouring Pakistan 's courageous fathers '', The Express Tribune Jump up ^ `` Proclamation No. 58, s. 1998 ''. Official Gazette ( Philippines ). December 11, 1998. Retrieved December 1, 2014. Jump up ^ Kerry Tilby ( June 2007 ). `` Father 's Day ''. Kiwi Families. Retrieved May 23, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Catholics Come Home to launch organization to encourage priests ''. Catholic News Agency. April 2010. Retrieved June 12, 2010. Jump up ^ Father 's Day in Seychelles Jump up ^ `` Padres por horas '', Faro de Vigo, May 19, 2010 Jump up ^ `` El año 2013 contará con 8 festivos nacionales, uno menos que 2012 '', El Huffington Post, November 3, 2012 Jump up ^ Roud, Steve ( 2006 ). The English Year. London : Penguin Books. p. 215. ISBN 978 - 0 - 140 - 51554 - 1. Jump up ^ `` Father 's Day 2017 : How did it begin and where in the world is it celebrated ? ''. The Telegraph. Retrieved 14 June 2017. Bibliography Myers, Robert J. ; the editors of Hallmark Cards ( 1972 ). Celebrations : The Complete Book of American Holidays. Doubleday & Company. pp. 184 -- 187. ISBN 0 - 385 - 07677 - 0. Schmidt, Leigh Eric ( 1997 ). Consumer Rites : The Buying and Selling of American Holidays. Princeton University Press. pp. 275 -- 292. ISBN 0 - 691 - 01721 - 2. Larossa, Ralph ( 1997 ). The Modernization of Fatherhood : A Social and Political History. University of Chicago Press. pp. 90, 170 -- 192. ISBN 0 - 226 - 46904 - 2. External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to Father 's Day. Father 's Day at DMOZ Proclamations by US Presidents on Father 's Day, from George W. Bush and Bill Clinton Holidays, observances, and celebrations in Algeria January New Year 's Day ( 1 ) Yennayer ( 14 ) February Valentine 's Day ( 14 ) Tafsut ( 28 ) March International Women 's Day ( 8 ) Victory Day ( 19 ) World Water Day ( 22 ) Maghrebi Blood Donation Day ( 30 ) Spring vacation ( 2 last weeks ) April April Fools ' Day ( 1 ) Knowledge Day ( 16 ) Berber Spring ( 20 ) Earth Day ( 22 ) Election Day ( Thursday ) May International Workers ' Day ( 1 ) World Press Freedom Day ( 3 ) Mother 's Day ( last Sunday ) June -- July -- August Summer vacation ( varies ) June Children 's Day ( 1 ) Father 's Day ( 21 ) July Independence Day ( 5 ) September International Day of Peace ( 21 ) October International Day of Non-Violence ( 2 ) Halloween ( 31 ) November Revolution Day ( 1 ) December Christmas Eve ( 24 ) Christmas ( 25 ) New Year 's Eve ( 31 ) Winter vacation ( 2 last weeks ) Varies ( year round ) Hijri New Year 's Day ( Muharram 1 ) Ashura ( Muharram 10 ) Mawlid ( Rabi ' al - Awwal 12 ) Ramadan ( Ramadan 1 ) Laylat al - Qadr ( Ramadan 27 ) Eid al - Fitr ( Shawwal 1 ) Day of Arafah ( Dhu al - Hijjah 9 ) Eid al - Adha ( Dhu al - Hijjah 10 ) Holi ( varies ) Bold indicates major holidays commonly celebrated in Algeria, which often represent the major celebrations of the month. See also : Lists of holidays. Holidays, observances, and celebrations in the United States January New Year 's Day ( federal ) Martin Luther King Jr. Day ( federal ) Confederate Heroes Day ( TX ) Fred Korematsu Day ( CA, FL, HI, VA ) Idaho Human Rights Day ( ID ) Inauguration Day ( federal quadrennial, DC area ) Kansas Day ( KS ) Lee -- Jackson Day ( formerly Lee -- Jackson -- King Day ) ( VA ) Robert E. Lee Day ( FL, GA ) Stephen Foster Memorial Day ( 36 ) The Eighth ( LA, former federal ) January -- February Super Bowl Sunday February American Heart Month Black History Month Washington 's Birthday / Presidents ' Day ( federal ) Valentine 's Day Georgia Day ( GA ) Groundhog Day Lincoln 's Birthday ( CA, CT, IL, IN, MO, NJ, NY, WV ) National Girls and Women in Sports Day National Freedom Day ( 36 ) Primary Election Day ( WI ) Ronald Reagan Day ( CA ) Rosa Parks Day ( CA, MO ) Susan B. Anthony Day ( CA, FL, NY, WI, WV, proposed federal ) February -- March Mardi Gras Ash Wednesday ( religious ) Courir de Mardi Gras ( religious ) Super Tuesday March Irish - American Heritage Month National Colon Cancer Awareness Month Women 's History Month St. Patrick 's Day ( religious ) Spring break ( week ) Casimir Pulaski Day ( IL ) Cesar Chavez Day ( CA, CO, TX, proposed federal ) Evacuation Day ( Suffolk County, MA ) Harriet Tubman Day ( NY ) Holi ( NY, religious ) Mardi Gras ( AL ( in two counties ), LA ) Maryland Day ( MD ) National Poison Prevention Week ( week ) Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole Day ( HI ) Saint Joseph 's Day ( religious ) Seward 's Day ( AK ) Texas Independence Day ( TX ) Town Meeting Day ( VT ) March -- April Easter ( religious ) Palm Sunday ( religious ) Passover ( religious ) Good Friday ( CT, NC, PR, religious ) Easter Monday ( religious ) April Confederate History Month 420 Day April Fools ' Day Arbor Day Confederate Memorial Day ( AL, FL, MS, SC ) Days of Remembrance of the Victims of the Holocaust ( week ) Earth Day Emancipation Day ( DC ) Thomas Jefferson 's Birthday ( AL ) Pascua Florida ( FL ) Patriots ' Day ( MA, ME ) San Jacinto Day ( TX ) Siblings Day Walpurgis Night ( religious ) May Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Jewish American Heritage Month Memorial Day ( federal ) Mother 's Day ( 36 ) Cinco de Mayo Harvey Milk Day ( CA ) Law Day ( 36 ) Loyalty Day ( 36 ) Malcolm X Day ( CA, IL, proposed federal ) May Day Military Spouse Day National Day of Prayer ( 36 ) National Defense Transportation Day ( 36 ) National Maritime Day ( 36 ) Peace Officers Memorial Day ( 36 ) Truman Day ( MO ) June Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month Father 's Day ( 36 ) Bunker Hill Day ( Suffolk County, MA ) Carolina Day ( SC ) Emancipation Day In Texas / Juneteenth ( TX ) Flag Day ( 36, proposed federal ) Helen Keller Day ( PA ) Honor America Days ( 3 weeks ) Jefferson Davis Day ( AL, FL ) Kamehameha Day ( HI ) Odunde Festival ( Philadelphia, PA ) Senior Week ( week ) West Virginia Day ( WV ) July Independence Day ( federal ) Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea ( HI, unofficial ) Parents ' Day ( 36 ) Pioneer Day ( UT ) July -- August Summer vacation August American Family Day ( AZ ) Barack Obama Day ( IL ) Bennington Battle Day ( VT ) Hawaii Admission Day / Statehood Day ( HI ) Lyndon Baines Johnson Day ( TX ) National Aviation Day ( 36 ) Service Reduction Day ( MD ) Victory over Japan Day ( RI, former federal ) Women 's Equality Day ( 36 ) September Prostate Cancer Awareness Month Labor Day ( federal ) California Admission Day ( CA ) Carl Garner Federal Lands Cleanup Day ( 36 ) Constitution Day ( 36 ) Constitution Week ( week ) Defenders Day ( MD ) Gold Star Mother 's Day ( 36 ) National Grandparents Day ( 36 ) National Payroll Week ( week ) Native American Day ( CA, TN, proposed federal ) Patriot Day ( 36 ) September -- October Hispanic Heritage Month Oktoberfest Rosh Hashanah ( religious ) Yom Kippur ( religious ) October Breast Cancer Awareness Month Disability Employment Awareness Month Filipino American History Month LGBT History Month Columbus Day ( federal ) Halloween Alaska Day ( AK ) Child Health Day ( 36 ) General Pulaski Memorial Day German - American Day Indigenous Peoples ' Day ( VT ) International Day of Non-Violence Leif Erikson Day ( 36 ) Missouri Day ( MO ) National School Lunch Week Native American Day ( SD ) Nevada Day ( NV ) Sweetest Day White Cane Safety Day ( 36 ) October -- November Diwali ( religious ) November Native American Indian Heritage Month Veterans Day ( federal ) Thanksgiving ( federal ) Day after Thanksgiving ( 24 ) Election Day ( CA, DE, HI, KY, MT, NJ, NY, OH, PR, WV, proposed federal ) Family Day ( NV ) Hanukkah ( religious ) Lā Kūʻokoʻa ( HI, unofficial ) Native American Heritage Day ( MD, WA ) Obama Day ( Perry County, AL ) December Christmas ( religious, federal ) Alabama Day ( AL ) Christmas Eve ( KY, NC, SC ) Day after Christmas ( KY, NC, SC, TX ) Festivus Hanukkah ( religious, week ) Indiana Day ( IN ) Kwanzaa ( religious, week ) National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day ( 36 ) New Year 's Eve Pan American Aviation Day ( 36 ) Rosa Parks Day ( OH, OR ) Wright Brothers Day ( 36 ) Varies ( year round ) Eid al - Adha ( religious ) Eid al - Fitr ( religious ) Ramadan ( religious, month ) Legend : ( federal ) = federal holidays, ( state ) = state holidays, ( religious ) = religious holidays, ( week ) = weeklong holidays, ( month ) = monthlong holidays, ( 36 ) = Title 36 Observances and Ceremonies Bold indicates major holidays commonly celebrated in the United States, which often represent the major celebrations of the month. See also : Lists of holidays, Hallmark holidays, public holidays in the United States, New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands. Public holidays in Mexico Statutory holidays Año Nuevo Día de la Constitución Natalicio de Benito Juárez Día del Trabajo Día de Independencia Día de la Revolución Transmisión del Poder Ejecutivo Federal Navidad Civic holidays Día del Ejército Día de la Bandera Aniversario de la Expropiación petrolera Heroica Defensa de Veracruz Cinco de Mayo Natalicio de Miguel Hidalgo Día de la Marina Grito de Dolores Día de los Niños Héroes Consumación de la Independencia Natalicio de José Ma. Morelos y Pavón Descubrimiento de América Festivities Día de los Santos Reyes Día de San Valentín Día del Niño Día de las Madres Día del Maestro Día del estudiante Día del Padre Día de Todos los Santos Día de los Fieles Difuntos Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe Las Posadas Nochebuena Dia de los Santos Inocentes Family History Household Nuclear family Extended family Conjugal family Immediate family Matrifocal family Blended family Dysfunctional family Polyfidelitous families First - degree relatives Parent Father Mother Child Daughter Son Sibling Brother Sister Second - degree relatives Grandparent Grandchild Aunt Uncle Nephew and niece Third - degree relatives Great - grandparent Great - grandchild Grand - nephew and grand - niece Cousin Family - in - law Spouse Wife Husband Parents - in - law Siblings - in - law Stepfamily Stepfather Stepmother Stepchild Stepsibling Kinship Adoption Affinity Consanguinity Disownment Divorce Estrangement Fictive kinship Marriage Nurture kinship Lineage Bilateral descent Common ancestor Family name Family tree Genealogy Heirloom Heredity Inheritance Matrilineality Patrilineality Pedigree chart Progenitor Relationships Agape ( parental love ) Eros ( marital love ) Filial piety Philia ( friendly love ) Storge ( familial love ) Holidays Mother 's Day U.S. Father 's Day Siblings Day National Grandparents Day Wedding anniversary Related Sociology of the family Museum of Motherhood LCCN : sh85047457 GND : 4417078 - 6 Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Father%27s_Day&oldid=802064470 '' Categories : August observances Movable August observances December observances Family member holidays Fatherhood June observances Movable June observances Movable July observances March observances May observances Movable November observances November observances Observances in the United States by presidential proclamation October observances Movable September observances Sunday observances Observances set by the Islamic calendar Observances set by the Nepali calendar Non-Gregorian August observances Non-Gregorian September observances Movable October observances Hidden categories : CS1 Croatian - language sources ( hr ) CS1 Spanish - language sources ( es ) CS1 Danish - language sources ( da ) Articles with Spanish - language external links CS1 German - language sources ( de ) Use mdy dates from June 2016 Articles needing additional references from June 2016 All articles needing additional references Infobox holiday ( other ) All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from June 2009 Articles with unsourced statements from May 2017 Articles with DMOZ links Wikipedia articles with LCCN identifiers Wikipedia articles with GND identifiers Holidays and observances by scheduling ( nth weekday of the month ) Talk Contents About Wikipedia Afrikaans Avañe'ẽ বাংলা Беларуская ( тарашкевіца ) ‎ Български Català Čeština Dansk Deutsch Eesti Ελληνικά Español Esperanto فارسی Français Gaeilge Galego 한국어 हिन्दी Hrvatski Bahasa Indonesia Íslenska Italiano עברית ಕನ್ನಡ ქართული Latviešu Lietuvių Limburgs Magyar Bahasa Melayu မြန်မာဘာသာ Nederlands नेपाली 日本 語 Napulitano Norsk Norsk nynorsk ਪੰਜਾਬੀ Polski Português Română Русский Scots Sicilianu Simple English Slovenčina کوردی Српски / srpski Suomi Svenska தமிழ் Татарча / tatarça తెలుగు ไทย Тоҷикӣ Türkçe Українська ئۇيغۇرچە / Uyghurche Tiếng Việt West - Vlams 粵語 Zazaki 中文 Edit links This page was last edited on 23 September 2017, at 19 : 34. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution - ShareAlike License ; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia ® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization. About Wikipedia

Question: when did fathers day become an official holiday
Answer: 1972