Introduction
Father's Day, fathers, paternity, and paternal relationships are all honored on this day. Since the Middle Ages, March 19 has been observed as Saint Joseph's Day throughout Catholic Europe. Sonora Smart Dodd established it in Washington, D.C., in 1910. The date varies throughout the world, with various places having their own customs. For instance, it is a public holiday in Lithuania, several regions of Spain, Estonia, and Samoa, and it is observed by Sikhs on December 29. It's a part of Parents' Day in South Korea. The occasion enhances other family-oriented festivities, such as Grandparents' Day and Mother's Day.
History
Early history
From December 11 to December 17, which is the Sunday of the Forefathers, the Eastern Orthodox Church remembers the forefathers of Jesus. Since at least 1508, Father's Day has been observed on March 19, which is Saint Joseph's Day, across Catholic Europe. On July 20, the Coptic Orthodox Church observes it. Grace Golden Clayton proposed Father's Day in the United States in 1908, and Sonora Smart Dodd assisted in its establishment in 1909. November 19 is International Men's Day in numerous nations.
Spelling
The phrase “Father's Day” is singular, much like “Mother's Day.” In 1912, Anna Jarvis registered the trademark “Mother's Day,” stating that it should be observed in a singular manner to celebrate the mother of each and every household, rather than all mothers combined.
Algeria Third Sunday in June.
Egypt 21 June.
Kenya Third Sunday in June (not a public holiday).
Morocco Third Sunday in June.
Mozambique 19 March.
Nigeria Third Sunday in June.
Seychelles 16 June (not a public holiday).
South Africa Third Sunday in June (not a public holiday).
South Sudan Last Monday of August (proclaimed by President Salva Kiir Mayardit, first celebrated on 27 August 2012).
Sudan 21 June.
Tanzania Not official, generally on the third Sunday in June.
Asian traditions
Bangladesh Third Sunday in June, influenced by Western traditions.
China Third Sunday in June, no official holiday.
India Third Sunday in June, celebrated in major cities.
Indonesia 12 November, less popular than Mother's Day.
Iran 13 Rajab (birthday of Ali bin Abi Talib), post-1979.
Israel Part of Family Day on 30 Shevat, some on 1 May.
Japan Third Sunday in June, with traditional gifts.
Kazakhstan 7 May, Defender of the Fatherland Day.
Malaysia Third Sunday in June.
Mongolia 8 August, started in 2005.
Nepal Celebrated on Kushe Aunsi in late August or early September.
Pakistan Third Sunday in June, not a public holiday.
Philippines Third Sunday in June, not a public holiday.
Singapore Third Sunday in June, not a public holiday.
South Korea Parents' Day on 8 May.
Sri Lanka Third Sunday in June, not a public holiday.
Taiwan 8 August (Bābā Day).
Thailand 5 December, King Bhumibol Adulyadej's birthday, a public holiday.
UAE 21 June.
European traditions
Roman Catholicism Celebrated on Saint Joseph's Day, 19 March.
Austria Second Sunday of June, not a public holiday.
Belarus 21 October.
Belgium Second Sunday of June or 14 June; 19 March in Antwerp.
Bulgaria 26 December, not a public holiday.
Croatia 19 March, not a public holiday.
Denmark 5 June, coincides with Constitution Day.
Estonia Second Sunday of November, national holiday.
Finland Second Sunday of November, flag day.
France Third Sunday of June.
Germany Ascension Day, a federal holiday.
Greece Third Sunday of June.
Hungary Third Sunday of June, not a public holiday.
Iceland Second Sunday of November.
Italy 19 March, not a public holiday.
Latvia Second Sunday of September, not a public holiday.
Lithuania First Sunday of June, public holiday.
Malta Third Sunday of June.
Netherlands Third Sunday of June, not a public holiday.
Norway Second Sunday of November, not a public holiday.
Poland 23 June, not a public holiday.
Portugal 19 March, not a public holiday.
Romania Second Sunday of May.
Russia 23 February, called “Man's Day”; third Sunday of October as Father's Day.
Slovakia Third Sunday of June, not a public holiday.
Spain 19 March, public holiday in some regions.
Sweden Second Sunday of November, not a public holiday.
Switzerland First Sunday of June; 19 March in Ticino.
Turkey Third Sunday of June, not a public holiday.
Ukraine Third Sunday of June, not a public holiday.
United Kingdom Third Sunday of June.
North American traditions
Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Cuba, Puerto Rico Third Sunday of June, not a public holiday.
Canada Third Sunday of June, not a public holiday. Involves family gatherings and gifts.
Costa Rica Proposed change to 19 March, still observed on third Sunday of June.
Haiti Last Sunday of June, not a public holiday. Celebrated with gifts and family time.
Mexico Third Sunday of June, not a public holiday. Involves spending time with family.
Trinidad and Tobago Third Sunday of June, not a public holiday.
United States Third Sunday of June, family gatherings and activities.
Oceanian traditions
Australia First Sunday of September, not a public holiday. Traditions include gifts, cards, meals, and outdoor activities. Initially met with skepticism but gained popularity in the 1930s.
New Zealand First Sunday of September, not a public holiday. First observed in 1929 and gained commercial recognition in subsequent years.
Samoa Second Sunday of August, with a national holiday on the following Monday.
Fiji Celebrated in September, with commercial and religious observances on different Sundays.
South American traditions
Argentina Third Sunday of June. There's been talk of shifting it to August 24 to honor José de San Martín.
Bolivia March 19, coinciding with Saint Joseph Day. Gifts and family time are common.
Brazil Second Sunday of August. Not an official holiday but widely celebrated with gifts and family gatherings.
Chile Officially celebrated on June 19.
Colombia Usually the third Sunday of June, shifted in 2022 to June 26 to avoid clashing with elections.
Paraguay Celebrated with traditional food.
Peru Third Sunday of June, marked by gifts and family meals.
