In Greece, Father’s Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June. This year, it falls on Sunday, June 16. Contrary to popular belief, the commemoration was not established in response to Mother’s Day but has a history deeply rooted in honoring fathers.
The first recorded Father’s Day celebration took place in Fairmont, West Virginia, in the eastern United States, on July 5, 1908. Organized by Grace Golden Clayton, it was a tribute to 210 fathers who tragically lost their lives in a mining accident earlier that year.
In 1966, decades after that initial commemoration, US President Lyndon Johnson issued the first presidential proclamation officially recognizing Father’s Day and setting the third Sunday of June as its annual observance. This recognition was further solidified as a national holiday in 1972 by Richard Nixon.
Across Europe, Father’s Day is observed on varying dates. In Italy, Spain, and Portugal, it coincides with the Feast of St. Joseph on March 19. In Germany, it is celebrated on Ascension Day and known as “Männertag” or Men’s Day, initially linked with family outings and beer festivals.
In Australia, Father’s Day falls on the first Sunday of September, marking the onset of spring in the southern hemisphere. Meanwhile, in Thailand, Father’s Day is honored on December 5, the birthday of the revered late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, affectionately known as the Father of the Nation. Thai tradition includes the altruistic act of blood donation as part of their celebrations.
On the other hand, South Korea does not have a dedicated Father’s Day. Instead, they celebrate Parents’ Day on May 8, which originally began as Mother’s Day but evolved to also recognize the role of fathers, aligning with the country’s traditional Confucian values and customs surrounding familial respect and filial piety.
Happy Father’s Day to all dads!
