Difference between revisions of "Father's Day" - New World Encyclopedia

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'''Father's Day''' is a celebration inaugurated in the early twentieth century to complement [[Mother's Day]] in celebrating [[father]]hood and male [[parenting]], and to honor and commemorate fathers and forefathers. Father's Day is celebrated on a variety of dates worldwide and typically involves gift-giving, and special dinners to fathers and [[family]]-oriented activities.  
+
'''Father's Day''' is a celebration inaugurated in the early twentieth century to complement [[Mother's Day]]. It celebrates [[father]]hood and male [[parenting]], and honors and commemorate fathers and forefathers. Father's Day is celebrated on a variety of dates worldwide and typically involves [[gift]]-giving, special dinners for fathers, and [[family]]-oriented activities.  
 
+
{{toc}}
The first church-service observance of Father's Day was held in [[Fairmont, West Virginia]], where Dr. Robert Webb is believed to have conducted such a service on July 5, 1908 at the Central Church of Fairmont. Although Mrs. John B. Dodd of Washington state was the first to solicit the idea of having a Father's Day observance (while listening to a Mother's Day sermon in church), the first public Father's Day observance didn't transpire until its celebration on June 19, 1910, at the Spokane YMCA.
+
Like Mother's Day, Father's Day was initially celebrated in a religious fashion. In the [[Catholic]] tradition, it is connected with the principal feast day of [[Saint Joseph]], spouse of the [[Virgin Mary]], and thus having a paternal role in the earthly family of [[Jesus]]. Today, however, it has suffered from commercialization and much of the focus has become external and material. Still, the [[advertising]] of consumer items does create awareness of the day, reminding all of the importance of fathers and strengthening the bond between fathers and their children.
 
 
While President [[Lyndon Johnson]] made Father's Day a holiday in 1966 to be celebrated on the third Sunday of June, it was not officially recognized until 1972, during the [[Richard Nixon]]'s presidency.  
 
  
 
==Spelling==
 
==Spelling==
Line 22: Line 20:
  
 
==United States==
 
==United States==
In the [[United States]], the first modern Father's Day church-service celebration was held on July 5, 1908, in [[Fairmont, West Virginia]]<ref name="wvah1">{{cite news | last = Barth | first = Kelly | title = First Father's Day service in 1908 | publisher = Dominion Post (Morgantown, West Virginia) | date =June 211987 | url = http://www.wvculture.org/HiStory/miscellaneous/fathersday01.html | accessdate=2006-11-07}}</ref><ref name="wvah2">{{cite news | last = Smith | first = Vicki | title = The first Father's Day | publisher = Martinsburg Journal (Martinsburg, West Virginia) | date = June 152003 | url = http://www.wvculture.org/HiStory/miscellaneous/fathersday02.html | accessdate=2006-11-07}}</ref>, at Williams Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church South, now known as Central [[United Methodist]] Church. Grace Golden Clayton, who is believed to have suggested the service to the pastor, is believed to have been inspired to celebrate fathers after the [[Monongah Mining Disaster|deadly mine explosion]] in nearby [[Monongah, West Virginia|Monongah]] the prior December. This explosion killed 361 men, many of them fathers and recent immigrants to the United States from [[Italy]]. Another possible inspiration for the service was [[Mother's Day]], which had been celebrated for the first time two months prior in [[Grafton, West Virginia]], a town about 15 miles away.  
+
In the [[United States]], the first modern Father's Day church-service celebration was held on July 5, 1908, in [[Fairmont, West Virginia]], at Williams Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church South, now known as Central [[United Methodist]] Church.<ref name="wvah1">Kelly Barth, [http://www.wvculture.org/HiStory/miscellaneous/fathersday01.html First Father's Day service in 1908,] ''Morgantown Dominion Post,'' June 21, 1987. Retrieved December 24, 2008.</ref><ref name="wvah2">Vicki Smith, [http://www.wvculture.org/HiStory/miscellaneous/fathersday02.html The first Father's Day,] ''Martinsburg Journal,'' June 15, 2003. Retrieved December 24, 2008.</ref> Grace Golden Clayton, inspired to celebrate fathers after the [[Monongah Mining Disaster|deadly mine explosion]] in nearby [[Monongah, West Virginia|Monongah]] several months earlier, is believed to have suggested the service to the pastor. The explosion had killed 361 men, many of them fathers and recent immigrants to the United States from [[Italy]]. Another possible inspiration for the service was [[Mother's Day]], which had begun to be celebrated in [[Grafton, West Virginia]], a town about 15 miles away.  
  
Another driving force behind the establishment of the integration of Father's Day was [[Sonora Smart Dodd]], born in [[Creston, Washington|Creston]], [[Washington]]. Her father, the [[American Civil War|Civil War]] veteran [[William Jackson Smart]], as a single parent reared his six children in [[Spokane, Washington|Spokane]], Washington. Dodd was inspired by [[Anna Jarvis]]' efforts to establish [[Mother's Day]]. Although she initially suggested June 5, her father's birthday, she did not provide the organizers with enough time to make arrangements, and the celebration was deferred to the third Sunday of June. The first June Father's Day was celebrated on June 19, 1910, in Spokane, Washington, at the Spokane [[YMCA]].<ref>{{cite web | title = Father's Day (United States)| url = http://www3.kumc.edu/diversity/other/fathers.html | accessdate = 2008-05-30}}</ref>
+
Another driving force behind the establishment of the integration of Father's Day was [[Sonora Smart Dodd]], born in [[Creston, Washington|Creston]], [[Washington]]. Her father, [[American Civil War|Civil War]] veteran [[William Jackson Smart]], reared his six children in [[Spokane, Washington|Spokane]], Washington as a single parent. Dodd was inspired by [[Anna Jarvis]]' efforts to establish [[Mother's Day]]. Although she initially suggested the date of June 5, her father's birthday, she did not provide the organizers with enough time to make arrangements, and the celebration was deferred to the third Sunday of June. The first June Father's Day was celebrated on June 19, 1910, in Spokane, Washington, at the Spokane [[YMCA]].<ref>The University of Kansas, [http://www3.kumc.edu/diversity/other/fathers.html Father's Day.] Retrieved January 8, 2009.</ref>
  
Unofficial support from such figures as [[William Jennings Bryan]] was immediate and widespread. [[President of the United States|President]] [[Woodrow Wilson]] was personally feted by his family in 1916. President [[Calvin Coolidge]] recommended it as a national holiday in 1924. In 1966, President [[Lyndon Johnson]] made Father's Day a holiday to be celebrated on the third Sunday of June. The holiday was not officially recognized until 1972, during the presidency of [[Richard Nixon]].  
+
Unofficial support from such figures as [[William Jennings Bryan]] was immediate and widespread. [[President of the United States|President]] [[Woodrow Wilson]] was personally feted by his family in 1916. President [[Calvin Coolidge]] recommended it as a national holiday in 1924. In 1966, President [[Lyndon Johnson]] made Father's Day a holiday to be celebrated on the third Sunday of June. The holiday was officially recognized in 1972, during the presidency of [[Richard Nixon]].  
  
In recent years, [[retail]]ers have adapted to the holiday by promoting male-oriented [[gift]]s such as [[electronics]], [[tool]]s, and [[greeting card]]s. Schools and other children's programs commonly have activities to make Father's Day gifts.
+
In recent years, [[retail]]ers have adapted to the holiday by promoting male-oriented [[gift]]s such as [[electronics]], [[tool]]s, as well as [[greeting card]]s. [[School]]s and other children's programs commonly have activities to make Father's Day gifts.
  
By the beginning of the twenty-first century, Americans spent at least several billion dollars on gifts for Father's Day. Per capita spending on Father's Day was $28.97 in 2007, and significantly less than what was spent on [[Mother's Day]], which is more steeped in traditional gifts, some of which tend to be more expensive than Father's Day gifts.<ref>[http://www.ibisworld.com/pressrelease/pressrelease.aspx?prid=126 Despite the Economy, Father's Day is Recession Proof], ''IBISWorld'', June 9, 2008. Retrieved December 23, 2008.</ref>.
+
By the beginning of the twenty-first century, Americans spent at least several billion dollars on gifts for Father's Day. Per capita spending on Father's Day was $28.97 in 2007, and significantly less than what was spent on [[Mother's Day]], which is more steeped in traditional gifts, some of which tend to be more expensive than Father's Day gifts.<ref>IBISWorld, [http://www.ibisworld.com/pressrelease/pressrelease.aspx?prid=126 Despite the Economy, Father's Day is Recession Proof,] June 9, 2008. Retrieved December 23, 2008.</ref>
  
 
==International history and traditions==
 
==International history and traditions==
The officially recognized date of Father's Day varies from country to country, and is celebrated in almost every month of the year. For example, in [[Bolivia]], it is on March 19; [[Uruguay]], on the second Sunday of July; [[Brazil]], on the second Sunday of August; [[Nepal]], on the new moon of September; [[Luxembourg]], on the first Sunday of October; [[Norway]], on the second Sunday of November; and [[Thailand]], on December 5. In [[South Korea]] there is no separate Father's Day, but [[Parents' Day]] (어버이 날) is celebrated on May 8. Usually, individuals give a [[carnation]] and presents to their parents and may sing the Parents' Day song.  
+
The officially recognized date of Father's Day varies from country to country, and is celebrated in almost every month of the year. For example, in [[Bolivia]], it is on March 19; [[Uruguay]], on the second Sunday of July; [[Brazil]], on the second Sunday of August; [[Nepal]], on the new moon of September; [[Luxembourg]], on the first Sunday of October; [[Norway]], on the second Sunday of November; and [[Thailand]], on December 5. In [[South Korea]], there is no separate Father's Day, but [[Parents' Day]] (어버이 날) is celebrated on May 8. Usually, individuals give a [[carnation]] and presents to their parents and may sing the Parents' Day song.  
  
Many countries from all around the world, including [[Canada]] and the [[United Kingdom]], celebrate Father's Day on the third Sunday in June, as in the United States. People celebrate the occasion by honoring their father and presenting popular gifts like [[greeting card]]s, flowers, [[candy]], and [[necktie]]s. Father's Day has been greatly commercialized in [[England]] with aggressive [[advertising]] campaigns to encourage buying gifts and cards. Although there is much criticism of over-commercialization, others suggest that such [[marketing]] does have positive impact by creating awareness of the day and thus strengthening the bond between fathers and their children.<ref>[http://www.fathersdaycelebration.com/fathers-day-in-uk.html Father's Day in UK] Society for the Confluence of Festivals in India (SCFI), 2008. Retrieved December 23, 2008.</ref>  
+
[[Image:St.Joseph Altar.JPG|thumb|200 px|left|Traditional St. Joseph's Altar in New Orleans]]
 +
Many countries from all around the world, including [[Canada]] and the [[United Kingdom]], celebrate Father's Day on the third Sunday in June, as in the United States. People celebrate the occasion by honoring their father and presenting popular gifts like [[greeting card]]s, flowers, [[candy]], and [[necktie]]s. Father's Day has been greatly commercialized in [[England]] with aggressive [[advertising]] campaigns to encourage buying gifts and cards. Although there is much criticism of over-commercialization, others suggest that such [[marketing]] does have positive impact by creating awareness of the day and thus strengthening the bond between fathers and their children.<ref>Society for the Confluence of Festivals in India, [http://www.fathersdaycelebration.com/fathers-day-in-uk.html Father's Day in UK,] 2008. Retrieved December 23, 2008.</ref>  
  
[[Image:St.Joseph Altar.JPG|thumb|left|200|Traditional St. Joseph's Altar in New Orleans]]
+
In the [[Roman Catholic]] tradition, Fathers are celebrated on March 19, [[Saint Joseph's Day]], commonly called the Feast of Saint Joseph, in [[Western Christianity]] the principal feast day of [[Saint Joseph]], spouse of the [[Virgin Mary]]. In [[New Orleans, Louisiana|New Orleans]], [[Louisiana]], which was a major port of entry for [[Sicily|Sicilian]] immigrants during the late nineteenth century, the Feast of Saint Joseph is a city-wide event. However, in most countries Father's Day is a secular celebration.<ref>Kerry Tilby, [http://www.kiwifamilies.co.nz/Topics/Festivals/Fathers+Day.html Fathers Day,] Kiwi Families, June 2007. Retrieved December 24, 2008.</ref>   
In the [[Roman Catholic]] tradition, Fathers are celebrated on [[Saint Joseph's Day]], commonly called the Feast of Saint Joseph, March 19, is in [[Western Christianity]] the principal feast day of [[Saint Joseph]], Spouse of the [[Virgin Mary]].<ref>[http://www.clerus.org/bibliaclerusonline/pt/f4.htm Roman Missal]</ref> The '''Feast of St. Joseph''' or '''Solemnity of Saint Joseph''' In [[New Orleans, Louisiana|New Orleans]], [[Louisiana]], which was a major port of entry for [[Sicily|Sicilian]] immigrants during the late nineteenth century, the Feast of St. Joseph is a city-wide event. However, in most countries Father's Day is a secular celebration.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.kiwifamilies.co.nz/Topics/Festivals/Fathers+Day.html | title = Fathers Day | publisher = Kiwi Families | author = Kerry Tilby | date = June 2007| accessdate = 2008-05-23 }}</ref>   
 
  
 
===Argentina===
 
===Argentina===
Father's Day on Argentina is celebrated on the third Sunday of June, but there have been several attempts to change it to August 24 to honor the day when the "Father of the Nation," [[José de San Martín]], became a father.<ref name="diariocritico">{{cite news | url = http://www.diariocritico.com/mexico/2008/Junio/noticias/49169/argentina-el-origen-del-dia-del-padre-ayer-google-en-espanol-lo-tuvo-en-su-portal.html | title = Argentina, el origen del Día del Padre, ayer Google en español lo tuvo en su Portal | date = 2008-06-16 | accessdate = 2008-07-12 }}</ref> The schools in 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 be celebrated on August 24.<ref name="2004argentina">Comisiones de Legislación General y de Familia, Mujer, Miñez y Adolescencia [http://www.diadelpadre.org/docs/1798.htm Orden del día Nº 1798] Sesiones Ordinarias 2004. Retrieved December 23, 2008.</ref>  
+
Father's Day in [[Argentina]] is celebrated on the third Sunday of June, but there have been several attempts to change it to August 24 to honor the day when the "Father of the Nation," [[José de San Martín]], became a father.<ref name="diariocritico">Diariocrítico de México, [http://www.diariocritico.com/mexico/2008/Junio/noticias/49169/argentina-el-origen-del-dia-del-padre-ayer-google-en-espanol-lo-tuvo-en-su-portal.html Argentina, el origen del Día del Padre, ayer Google en español lo tuvo en su Portal,] June 16, 2008. Retrieved January 8, 2009.</ref> In 1982, the Provincial Governor passed a law declaring Father's Day in Mendoza Province be celebrated on August 24.<ref name="2004argentina">Comisiones de Legislación General y de Familia, Mujer, Miñez y Adolescencia, [http://www.diadelpadre.org/docs/1798.htm Orden del día Nº 1798,] Sesiones Ordinarias 2004. Retrieved December 23, 2008.</ref>  
  
In 2004, several proposals to change the date to August 24 were presented to the Argentinian [[Chamber of Deputies|Camara de Diputados]]. <ref name="2004argentina"</ref> It was approved, and it was passed on to the [[Senate of Argentina]] for final review and approval. The Senate changed the proposed new date to the third Sunday of August, and scheduled the project for approval. However, the proposal was never voted on by the Senate in the planned session, which caused its failure. <ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.diadelpadre.org/body.htm | title = Día del Padre (Estado del trámite del proyecto de ley) | accessdate = 2008-07-12 }}</ref>
+
In 2004, several proposals to change the national date to August 24 were presented to the Argentinian [[Chamber of Deputies|Camara de Diputados]].<ref name="2004argentina"/> However, the proposal was never approved by the Senate.<ref>Dia del Padre, [http://www.diadelpadre.org/body.htm Homepage.] Retrieved January 8, 2009.</ref>
  
===Costa Rica===
+
===Austria===
In [[Costa Rica]], the [[Unidad Social Cristiana]] party presented a bill to change the celebration of the day from the third Sunday of June to March 19, the day of [[Saint Joseph]].<ref>{{cite web | author = Rodolfo Delgado Valverde | title = Proyecto de Ley. Celebración del 19 de Marzo como Día del Padre. Expediente 15911. | url = http://www.asamblea.go.cr/proyecto/15900/15911.doc }}</ref> That was in order to give tribute to this saint, who gave the 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]].<ref name="costa_rica_aciprensa">{{cite web | title = Presentan en Costa Rica proyecto de ley para celebrar día del padre el día de San José | publisher = ACI Prensa | date = 2005-05-26 | url = http://www.aciprensa.com/noticia.php?n=8655 }}</ref> The official date is still third Sunday of June.
+
In [[Austria]] Father's Day ''(Vatertag)'' was first observed in 1956. Although similar to the American holiday, it is not exactly the same. The date is also in June (on the second Sunday), but the celebration is more religious in character, in the nature of a [[Catholic]] feast day.<ref name=vatertag>About.com, Father's Day and Vatertag.</ref> Even more so than in the United States, Father's Day is of much less significance than [[Mother's Day]] ''(Muttertag)''.
  
 
===Germany===
 
===Germany===
[[Image:Hiking tour on father's day.JPG|thumb|Hiking/drinking tour on ''Herrentag'']]
+
[[Image:Hiking tour on father's day.JPG|thumb|200 px|Hiking/drinking tour on ''Herrentag'']]
In Germany, there is no such thing as Father's Day <ref>{{cite news | title = Father's Day and Vatertag | publisher = About.com  | url = http://german.about.com/od/holidaysfolkcustoms/a/vatertag.htm}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title =  Don't get drunk on Father's Day, German minister urges | publisher = yahoo.com  | url = http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080430/od_afp/lifestylegermanytraditionoffbeat_080430170159}}</ref> as celebrated throughout the Western world. There are two terms and/or events of an older origin that while similar in name, have entirely different meanings. ''Vatertag'', is always celebrated on [[Ascension Day]] (the Thursday 40 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 to do a males-only hiking tour with one or more smaller wagons, [[:de:Bollerwagen|Bollerwagen]], pulled by manpower. In the wagons are [[wine]] or [[beer]] (according to region) and traditional regional food, ''Hausmannskost'', which could be ''[[Saumagen]]'', [[Liverwurst]], ''[[:de:Blutwurst|Blutwurst]]'' ([[Blood Sausage]]), vegetables, eggs, etc.
+
In [[Germany]], Father's Day ''(Vatertag)'', while similar in name has an entirely different origin and meaning from the American tradition.<ref name=vatertag/> ''Vatertag'' is always celebrated on [[Ascension Day]] (the Thursday 40 days after Easter), which is a federal holiday. It began as a religious procession, honoring ''Gott, den Vater'' (God the Father). It then became a [[family]]-oriented day, honoring fathers, but later became a men's day in which celebration involved the consumption of much [[alcohol]].
  
Some parts of Germany (such as Bavaria and the northern part of Germany) call this particular day "[[Vatertag]]," which is the literal equivalent to Father's Day.
+
It became tradition to do a males-only 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,'' which could be ''[[Saumagen]]'', [[Liverwurst]], ''[[Blutwurst]]'' ([[Blood Sausage]]), vegetables, eggs, and so on. Regionally, the holiday may be called "men's day," ''Männertag'', or "gentlemen's day," ''Herrentag''. Indeed, such celebrations reflect little of the role of men as [[parent]]s, rather their desire to spend time together with male peers without the responsibility of a family.
  
 
===Taiwan===
 
===Taiwan===
Line 58: Line 56:
  
 
===Thailand===
 
===Thailand===
In [[Thailand]], Father's Day is set as the birthday of the king. December 5 is the birthday of current king, [[Bhumibol Adulyadej]] (Rama IX). Thai people wear a yellow cloth, which is the king's color. Young male celebrants present the flower of Father's Day, [[Canna (plant)|Canna]] (Dok put ta ruk sa), to their father, grandfather, or parents in the hope that they can become a man.
+
In [[Thailand]], Father's Day is set as the birthday of the king. Thus, Father's Day has been celebrated on December 5, the birthday of king [[Bhumibol Adulyadej]] (Rama IX). Thai people wear a yellow cloth, which is the king's color. Young male celebrants present the flower of Father's Day, [[Canna (plant)|Canna]] ''(Dok put ta ruk sa)'', to their father, grandfather, or parents in the hope that they can become a man.
  
 
==Notes==
 
==Notes==
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
 +
 
==References==
 
==References==
*Schmidt, Leigh Eric (1995). ''Consumer Rites: The Buying & Selling of American Holidays''. Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press. ISBN 978-0691029801  
+
*Schmidt, Leigh Eric. ''Consumer Rites: The Buying & Selling of American Holidays''. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1995. ISBN 978-0691029801.
*Sechrist, Elizabeth Hough (1965). ''Red Letter Days: A Book of Holiday Customs''. Philadelphia: Macrae Smith Co. OCLC 492111  
+
*Sechrist, Elizabeth Hough. ''Red Letter Days: A Book of Holiday Customs''. Philadelphia, PA: Macrae Smith Co, 1965. {{OCLC|492111}}.
*Travers, Len (2006). ''Encyclopedia of American Holidays and National Days''. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press. ISBN 978-0313331305
+
*Travers, Len. ''Encyclopedia of American Holidays and National Days''. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 2006. ISBN 978-0313331305.
 
 
==External links==
 
  
* [http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/06/20030613-8.html Proclamations by US Presidents on Father's Day], from [[George W. Bush]] and [[Bill Clinton]]
 
 
{{US Holidays}}
 
{{US Holidays}}
 
 
 
 
  
 
{{Credits|Father's_Day|257005598}}
 
{{Credits|Father's_Day|257005598}}

Latest revision as of 12:56, 21 January 2023

Father's Day
Father's Day
Observed by Many countries
Type Historical
Date Varies regionally
Related to Mother's Day

Father's Day is a celebration inaugurated in the early twentieth century to complement Mother's Day. It celebrates fatherhood and male parenting, and honors and commemorate fathers and forefathers. Father's Day is celebrated on a variety of dates worldwide and typically involves gift-giving, special dinners for fathers, and family-oriented activities.

Like Mother's Day, Father's Day was initially celebrated in a religious fashion. In the Catholic tradition, it is connected with the principal feast day of Saint Joseph, spouse of the Virgin Mary, and thus having a paternal role in the earthly family of Jesus. Today, however, it has suffered from commercialization and much of the focus has become external and material. Still, the advertising of consumer items does create awareness of the day, reminding all of the importance of fathers and strengthening the bond between fathers and their children.

Spelling

Although normal English punctuation guidelines indicate that the holiday should be spelled "Fathers' Day" (as it is a plural possessive), common usage dictates that the ostensibly singular possessive "Father's Day" is the preferred spelling.

United States

In the United States, the first modern Father's Day church-service celebration was held on July 5, 1908, in Fairmont, West Virginia, at Williams Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church South, now known as Central United Methodist Church.[1][2] Grace Golden Clayton, inspired to celebrate fathers after the deadly mine explosion in nearby Monongah several months earlier, is believed to have suggested the service to the pastor. The explosion had killed 361 men, many of them fathers and recent immigrants to the United States from Italy. Another possible inspiration for the service was Mother's Day, which had begun to be celebrated in Grafton, West Virginia, a town about 15 miles away.

Another driving force behind the establishment of the integration of Father's Day was Sonora Smart Dodd, born in Creston, Washington. Her father, Civil War veteran William Jackson Smart, reared his six children in Spokane, Washington as a single parent. Dodd was inspired by Anna Jarvis' efforts to establish Mother's Day. Although she initially suggested the date of June 5, her father's birthday, she did not provide the organizers with enough time to make arrangements, and the celebration was deferred to the third Sunday of June. The first June Father's Day was celebrated on June 19, 1910, in Spokane, Washington, at the Spokane YMCA.[3]

Unofficial support from such figures as William Jennings Bryan was immediate and widespread. President Woodrow Wilson was personally feted by his family in 1916. President Calvin Coolidge recommended it as a national holiday in 1924. In 1966, President Lyndon Johnson made Father's Day a holiday to be celebrated on the third Sunday of June. The holiday was officially recognized in 1972, during the presidency of Richard Nixon.

In recent years, retailers have adapted to the holiday by promoting male-oriented gifts such as electronics, tools, as well as greeting cards. Schools and other children's programs commonly have activities to make Father's Day gifts.

By the beginning of the twenty-first century, Americans spent at least several billion dollars on gifts for Father's Day. Per capita spending on Father's Day was $28.97 in 2007, and significantly less than what was spent on Mother's Day, which is more steeped in traditional gifts, some of which tend to be more expensive than Father's Day gifts.[4]

International history and traditions

The officially recognized date of Father's Day varies from country to country, and is celebrated in almost every month of the year. For example, in Bolivia, it is on March 19; Uruguay, on the second Sunday of July; Brazil, on the second Sunday of August; Nepal, on the new moon of September; Luxembourg, on the first Sunday of October; Norway, on the second Sunday of November; and Thailand, on December 5. In South Korea, there is no separate Father's Day, but Parents' Day (어버이 날) is celebrated on May 8. Usually, individuals give a carnation and presents to their parents and may sing the Parents' Day song.

Traditional St. Joseph's Altar in New Orleans

Many countries from all around the world, including Canada and the United Kingdom, celebrate Father's Day on the third Sunday in June, as in the United States. People celebrate the occasion by honoring their father and presenting popular gifts like greeting cards, flowers, candy, and neckties. Father's Day has been greatly commercialized in England with aggressive advertising campaigns to encourage buying gifts and cards. Although there is much criticism of over-commercialization, others suggest that such marketing does have positive impact by creating awareness of the day and thus strengthening the bond between fathers and their children.[5]

In the Roman Catholic tradition, Fathers are celebrated on March 19, Saint Joseph's Day, commonly called the Feast of Saint Joseph, in Western Christianity the principal feast day of Saint Joseph, spouse of the Virgin Mary. In New Orleans, Louisiana, which was a major port of entry for Sicilian immigrants during the late nineteenth century, the Feast of Saint Joseph is a city-wide event. However, in most countries Father's Day is a secular celebration.[6]

Argentina

Father's Day in Argentina is celebrated on the third Sunday of June, but there have been several attempts to change it to August 24 to honor the day when the "Father of the Nation," José de San Martín, became a father.[7] In 1982, the Provincial Governor passed a law declaring Father's Day in Mendoza Province be celebrated on August 24.[8]

In 2004, several proposals to change the national date to August 24 were presented to the Argentinian Camara de Diputados.[8] However, the proposal was never approved by the Senate.[9]

Austria

In Austria Father's Day (Vatertag) was first observed in 1956. Although similar to the American holiday, it is not exactly the same. The date is also in June (on the second Sunday), but the celebration is more religious in character, in the nature of a Catholic feast day.[10] Even more so than in the United States, Father's Day is of much less significance than Mother's Day (Muttertag).

Germany

Hiking/drinking tour on Herrentag

In Germany, Father's Day (Vatertag), while similar in name has an entirely different origin and meaning from the American tradition.[10] Vatertag is always celebrated on Ascension Day (the Thursday 40 days after Easter), which is a federal holiday. It began as a religious procession, honoring Gott, den Vater (God the Father). It then became a family-oriented day, honoring fathers, but later became a men's day in which celebration involved the consumption of much alcohol.

It became tradition to do a males-only 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, which could be Saumagen, Liverwurst, Blutwurst (Blood Sausage), vegetables, eggs, and so on. Regionally, the holiday may be called "men's day," Männertag, or "gentlemen's day," Herrentag. Indeed, such celebrations reflect little of the role of men as parents, rather their desire to spend time together with male peers without the responsibility of a family.

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 8 is . This pronunciation is very similar to the character "爸" "bà," which means "papa" or "father." The Taiwanese, therefore, usually call August 8 by its nickname, "Bābā Day" (爸爸節).

Thailand

In Thailand, Father's Day is set as the birthday of the king. Thus, Father's Day has been celebrated on December 5, the birthday of king Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX). Thai people wear a yellow cloth, which is the king's color. Young male celebrants present the flower of Father's Day, Canna (Dok put ta ruk sa), to their father, grandfather, or parents in the hope that they can become a man.

Notes

  1. Kelly Barth, First Father's Day service in 1908, Morgantown Dominion Post, June 21, 1987. Retrieved December 24, 2008.
  2. Vicki Smith, The first Father's Day, Martinsburg Journal, June 15, 2003. Retrieved December 24, 2008.
  3. The University of Kansas, Father's Day. Retrieved January 8, 2009.
  4. IBISWorld, Despite the Economy, Father's Day is Recession Proof, June 9, 2008. Retrieved December 23, 2008.
  5. Society for the Confluence of Festivals in India, Father's Day in UK, 2008. Retrieved December 23, 2008.
  6. Kerry Tilby, Fathers Day, Kiwi Families, June 2007. Retrieved December 24, 2008.
  7. Diariocrítico de México, Argentina, el origen del Día del Padre, ayer Google en español lo tuvo en su Portal, June 16, 2008. Retrieved January 8, 2009.
  8. 8.0 8.1 Comisiones de Legislación General y de Familia, Mujer, Miñez y Adolescencia, Orden del día Nº 1798, Sesiones Ordinarias 2004. Retrieved December 23, 2008.
  9. Dia del Padre, Homepage. Retrieved January 8, 2009.
  10. 10.0 10.1 About.com, Father's Day and Vatertag.

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • Schmidt, Leigh Eric. Consumer Rites: The Buying & Selling of American Holidays. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1995. ISBN 978-0691029801.
  • Sechrist, Elizabeth Hough. Red Letter Days: A Book of Holiday Customs. Philadelphia, PA: Macrae Smith Co, 1965. OCLC 492111.
  • Travers, Len. Encyclopedia of American Holidays and National Days. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 2006. ISBN 978-0313331305.


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