Father's Day is a holiday celebrated globally to honor fathers, fatherhood, and their societal influence. In Catholic European nations, it's been observed on March 19th as Saint Joseph's Day since the Middle Ages. Sonora Smart Dodd initiated Father's Day in Washington state, USA, in 1910.
1908: Grace Golden Clayton Proposes Father's Day
Grace Golden Clayton suggests a day to honor fathers following a mining accident in the US that claimed the lives of many men.
1908: First Father's Day Observance in the United States
The first Father's Day is observed in the United States, eventually gaining popularity and influencing its adoption in other countries, including India.
1909: Sonora Smart Dodd Advocates for Father's Day
Following her experience at a Mother's Day church service, Sonora Smart Dodd convinces the Spokane Ministerial Association to advocate for a national Father's Day celebration.
1910: Sonora Smart Dodd Proposes Father's Day
Sonora Smart Dodd, inspired by Mother's Day, proposes the establishment of Father's Day in Spokane, Washington.
1912: Anna Jarvis Trademarks "Mother's Day"
Anna Jarvis trademarks the phrase "Second Sunday in May, Mother's Day, Anna Jarvis, Founder," establishing a precedent for the singular possessive spelling of "Mother's" which is later followed for "Father's Day.".
June 1925: Janet Heyden collects donations for elderly men
Janet Heyden, an advocate for Mother's Day in Australia, initiates fundraising for elderly men in nursing homes in June 1925. This is one of the early initiatives for Father's Day celebrations in Australia.
July 1929: First Father's Day observance in New Zealand
St Matthew's Church in Auckland hosts the first Father's Day observance in New Zealand, marking the beginning of the tradition in the country.
1931: Father's Day adopted by other churches
Following the initial observance in 1929, other churches in New Zealand begin to embrace Father's Day, expanding its reach and acceptance.
1935: Shift in Father's Day date in Australia
A significant portion of Australia moves its Father's Day celebrations to the first Sunday in September, departing from the original June date and setting a precedent for New Zealand.
1937: Early evidence of September Father's Day in New Zealand
A Wellington advertisement mentioning Father's Day in September provides early documented evidence of the shift in New Zealand, aligning with the Australian change.
1938: Christchurch Salvation Army Father's Day service
The Salvation Army in Christchurch holds a Father's Day service in September, further solidifying the adoption of the new date in New Zealand.
1953: Proposal to celebrate Father's Day on August 24th
The General Direction of Schools of Mendoza Province, Argentina, receives a proposal to celebrate Father's Day on August 24th in honor of José de San Martín, the "Father of the Nation," and his fatherhood date.
1957: Establishment of the Father's Day Council of Australia
The Father's Day Council of Australia is formed, signifying the growing recognition and formalization of Father's Day celebrations in the country. The council institutes the annual Australian Father of the Year award.
1958: First Father's Day celebration in Argentina
Argentina celebrates Father's Day for the first time on the third Sunday of June. However, due to pressure from various groups, the date is not integrated into school calendars.
1977: Italy Revokes Father's Day as Public Holiday
Italy removes Father's Day from its list of recognized public holidays.
1982: Mendoza Province adopts August 24th for Father's Day
The governor of Mendoza Province in Argentina passes a law officially recognizing August 24th as Father's Day, marking a regional departure from the national date and honoring José de San Martín.
2004: Proposal to unify Father's Day on August 24th
A proposal is submitted to the Argentine Chamber of Deputies to unify the celebration of Father's Day nationally on August 24th, reigniting the debate on the appropriate date for the holiday.
2006: Indonesia Declares Father's Day
Father's Day is officially declared in Indonesia, first celebrated in Surakarta City Hall with participation from various community groups.
2011: No Father's Day in South Sudan
Due to the country's recent independence, Father's Day is not celebrated in South Sudan.
August 2012: South Sudan Celebrates First Father's Day
President Salva Kiir Mayardit proclaims the last Monday of August as Father's Day, and the first celebration takes place.
2022: Shifting Father's Day due to elections
Colombia celebrates Father's Day on June 26th to avoid overlapping with the second round of the presidential elections, demonstrating the adaptability of the holiday to accommodate national events.