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Revision as of 21:23, 7 October 2004 by Joy (talk | contribs) (link term)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Father's Day is supposed to be a day to celebrate fatherhood and parenting by males, as Mother's Day celebrates motherhood and mothering. Retailers encourage the giving of hardware, tools and other suitable gifts on the day.
History (USA)
In the USA, the driving force behind the establishment of a celebration of Father's Day was Mrs. Sonora Smart Dodd whose father, Civil War veteran William Jackson Smart, had raised his six children as a single parent in Spokane, Washington. She was inspired by Anna Jarvis's efforts to establish Mother's Day. Although she initially suggested June 5, the anniversary of her father's death, for the celebration, the deferal to the third Sunday in June was a simple case of her not providing the organizers enough time to make arrangements. Unofficial support was immediate and widespread, and included William Jennings Bryan. Woodrow Wilson was personally so feted by his family in 1916, and Calvin Coolidge recommended it in 1924. The all male U. S. Congress; however, was mindful that to pass a such measure that was so favorable to males could be seen as a conflict of interest. Father's Day was officially made a holiday in 1966 by Lyndon Johnson; however, Father's Day was not officially recognized until the presidency of Richard Nixon in 1972.
Date
Almost all over the world, a Father's Day exists, to honor, commemorate, ... fathers or forefathers. In Christian/Catholic tradition, Father's Day is celebrated on St. Joseph's Day (March 19). Obviously, other traditions will have other days to celebrate their fathers. Actually, in many tradionally Christian/Catholic countries a more 'secular/non-religious' Father's day is also held.
- Australia and New Zealand: the first Sunday in September
- Canada, Chile, France, Japan, the Netherlands, the United States, the United Kingdom: the third Sunday in June.
- Belgium: St Joseph's day (which is March 19), and the second Sunday in June ("Secular")
- Brazil: the second Sunday in August
- Bulgaria: June 20
- Germany: on Ascension Day
- Lithuania: the first Sunday in June
- Taiwan: August 8
- The word for the date, ba ba, (8/8) is a homophone of the word for father in Mandarin Chinese, baba.
- Scandinavia: the second Sunday in November
- Portugal, Spain: March 19
- Thailand: December 5, birthday of King Bhumibol Adulyadej