Across the world, everyone is gearing up for Father’s Day 2023. This year it will be celebrated on June 18. Ideally, Father’s Day is observed on the third Sunday of June. As the name suggests, it is observed to honour fathers and to credit fatherhood for being such an important part of everyone’s life.

When did Father’s Day come into existence?

Father’s Day came into existence in the United States first and then it spread across the globe. The first Father‘s Day was observed in the United States in 1910. The state of Washington celebrated the first Father’s Day on June 19, 1910. The existence of Father’s Day came into the plan after Mother’s Day was officially announced by US President Woodrow Wilson. Considering the approval of a day to honour mothers, a day was also assigned to honour fathers.
“The campaign to celebrate the nation’s fathers did not meet with the same enthusiasm–perhaps because, as one florist explained, “fathers haven’t the same sentimental appeal that mothers have,” a report says.

Father’s Day is the effort of a child raised by a male parent

As per reports, Sonora Smart Dodd from Washington was raised by a widower along with her five siblings. It was Sonora’s effort to establish a day for the fathers that Father’s Day came into existence. Efforts to make Father’s Day initiated with creating awareness in local churches, and shops. And in this way, Father’s Day got marked in the calendar. Reports say Sonora got the idea of celebrating Father’s Day after listening to a speech by Anna Jarvis on the importance of Mother’s Day and why it should be celebrated. After getting inspired by the same, Sonora decided to dedicate a day to all the male parents in view of her own familial situation.
As per a report, in 1916 President Wilson honored the day by unfurling a flag in Spokane. In 1924, President Calvin Coolidge urged state governments to observe this day.

Controversies around Father’s Day

The celebration of Father’s day was not accepted in society. The response to establishing a day for fathers and celebrating it by sending them gifts and flowers was thought to be a less manly activity. The response on father’s day decision was not warm as was the response for mother’s day. As per one historian, “they scoffed at the holiday’s sentimental attempts to domesticate manliness with flowers and gift-giving, or they derided the proliferation of such holidays as a commercial gimmick to sell more products–often paid for by the father himself.”
Soon after Father’s Day was celebrated at several places, a group of people raised voice against the celebration and demanded to merge both Mother’s Day and Father’s Day and make it a single day for parents.
The idea to observe Father’s Day in June might have originated either from the birth month of Sonora’s father or else from the month when the idea was conceived.

Did you know that Americans spend more than 1 million dollars to celebrate Father’s Day?

In the year 1972, Richard Nixon made Father’s Day a federal holiday. Reports say that Americans, where the concept of Father’s Day originated, spend more than 1 million dollars on gifts and celebrations around Father’s Day.
Father’s day started as a religious holiday and later grew and included bigger celebrations. These days Father’s Day is commercialized by sending gifts and flowers. Not just fathers, but people who assume fatherly roles are also honoured on this day.
On this day you can do several things for your dad to make the day special and memorable for them. The biggest gift you can give your dad is by giving him your time. Many dads miss being with their kids. Since they are emotionally not that invested they are unable to convey this to the kids. Apart from the gift of time, you can also do certain activities to cheer them up. Take them to a nearby bookshop, take them to a fine dining restaurant, and help them buy an expensive pair of shoes and/or suits for them. Prepare their favorite foods, sit with them, and enjoy a good lunch or dinner. Help them explore their hidden talents. Take them to an adventure park and play some fun games. Take them to a religious place and make it a peaceful evening. Make them feel like they were always heard and their words were always remembered though they mostly remain silent. Dads are the greatest listeners in the world and they observe the tiniest quality in their kids. Acknowledge your dad’s love for you, no matter how less they have expressed themselves. Compliment them and thank them for what they have done for you.
Make this Father’s Day the best one your dad had until now. Put extra effort into this day and make it a memorable one.
Few common questions related to Father’s Day answered here: