Father’s Day has Surprising Origins and Celebrations Around the World

Over 10 million fathers are celebrated for Father’s Day in Canada each year according to the Canadian Census. This year, the special day is June 16, 2019.

Countries around the world have adopted Father’s Day traditions to appreciate a father’s daily contributions to their family and community, but each celebrate their loving fathers in different ways – and on different days.

Want to do something unique for dad this Father’s Day? Get inspired with these ideas and traditions for Father’s Day around the world.

How Did Father’s Day Start?

Do you believe Father’s Day started because mothers had their own special celebrations each year dating back to the 1800s?

Technically, you wouldn’t be wrong.

A day for honouring fathers was first considered in 1908 to honour the bravery and lives of 362 men that were killed in West Virginia’s 1907 ‘Monongah mining disaster,’ the worst mining incident of US history.

One year later, Sonora Smart Dodd of Washington began a movement and petitioned to government to have a nationally celebrated day to recognize and appreciate all that fathers provide their families – including her own father’s efforts of raising her and her six siblings alone.

It was not until April 24, 1972 that Father’s Day finally became recognized as a national holiday in North America, signed into law by President Nixon (source).

Father’s Day is now commonly celebrated around the world on the third Sunday in June in countries such as Japan, France, Turkey, Ireland, and India (source).

 

 

 

How To Celebrate Father’s Day Around the World

Father’s Day in Mexico

Father’s Day in Mexico is a day-long celebration held on the third Sunday in June that recognizes more than just fathers. It’s also day to express your appreciation towards grandfathers, brothers, stepfathers, and all father-like figures in your life (source).

Festivities for Father’s Day in Mexico include:

• Making a large breakfast with all dad’s favourite foods
• Giving gifts and handmade cards
• Taking part in ‘Carrera Día del Padre 21K Bosque de Tlalpan,’ which includes a race for fathers and children to spend time together

One traditional food favourite for Father’s Day in Mexico is pan dulce – or sweet bread – pictured below.

Bring Mexico’s culture into your home by trying this traditional pan dulce recipe.

Mexican Sweet Bread via The Culture Trip

Family Day in Vietnam

Instead of Mother’s Day or Father’s Day, Vietnam has a special celebration for all family members – Vietnamese Family Day – held annually on June 28.

There’s a common saying that describes family as the starting point where love never ends. On Family Day, families throughout Vietnam host traditional activities to celebrate the importance of family and how it shapes each member’s individuality (source).

Traditional Activities for Family Day in Vietnam include:

• Net fishing
• Photo exhibitions
• Sports exhibitions such as boat racing, kite flying and human chess

(Human Chess via Vivu Travel)

Father’s Day in Thailand

Father’s Day is considered one of the most important holidays in Thailand and holds great spiritual significance. It’s celebrated on December 5, King Rama IX’s birthday, who is known as the father of modern Thailand (source)

Schools are closed for Father’s Day in Thailand for children to spend time with their fathers and to show appreciation for guiding them and helping to provide housing, education and food (source).

Common traditions for Father’s Day in Thailand are:

• Going out to eat at a restaurant
• Viewing fireworks and decorations
• Wearing yellow to show loyalty to the king, the colour of his birthday

Decorations are set up throughout Thailand (via Learn Thai with Mod)

Father’s Day at Wee College

Each of our centers will be hosting Father’s Day celebrations for children and their fathers to spend time together on Thursday, June 13 and Friday, June 14.

Each center has planned their own Father’s Day activities including:

• Ice cream sundae making
• Donuts with dad
• Wood sanding and painting
• Rock painting
• Lego competitions
• Handmade crafts

Regardless of how you choose to celebrate dad on Father’s Day, we encourage you to find a new tradition – or enjoy a longstanding one – to show appreciation to the important men in your life.

What are your family’s Father Day traditions? We want to hear about them – share them in the comments below!