History of Father's Day in Timeline
Father's Day is a holiday dedicated to celebrating fathers, fatherhood, and the impact of fathers on society. It is observed on different dates globally, with each region often having unique traditions. Father's Day complements other family-oriented holidays like Mother's Day. It serves as a day to acknowledge and appreciate the paternal figures in our lives.
1908: Influence of the Western world
After Father's Day was first observed in the United States in 1908 and gradually gained popularity, Indian metropolitan cities, much later, followed suit by recognising this event.
1908: Grace Golden Clayton proposes Father's Day
In 1908, Grace Golden Clayton proposed a day to honor men who died in a mining accident, though it wasn't accepted at the time.
1909: Sonora Smart Dodd promotes Father's Day
In 1909, Sonora Smart Dodd, inspired by Mother's Day, convinced the Spokane Ministerial Association to celebrate Father's Day nationwide.
1910: Father's Day founded in Washington
In 1910, Father's Day was founded in the state of Washington by Sonora Smart Dodd.
1912: Anna Jarvis trademarks Mother's Day phrase
In 1912, Anna Jarvis trademarked the phrase "Second Sunday in May, Mother's Day, Anna Jarvis, Founder" and specified that "Mother's" should be a singular possessive.
June 1925: Janet Heyden collects donations for elderly men
In June 1925, Janet Heyden of Sydney began collecting donations to bring cheer to elderly men in nursing/charity homes.
1928: Mother's Day made official in France
In 1928, la Fête des Mères (Mother's Day) was made official in France.
July 1929: First Father's Day observed in New Zealand
Father's Day was first observed at St Matthew's Church, Auckland on 14 July 1929.
1931: Other churches adopt Father's Day
By 1931 other churches had adopted Father's Day.
1935: Australia moves to mark Father's Day in September
In 1935 much of Australia moved to mark Father's Day at the beginning of September.
1937: Father's Day advertising in Wellington
In 1937 there was Father's Day advertising in Wellington.
1938: Salvation Army service for Father's Day in Christchurch
In 1938 there was a Christchurch Salvation Army service for Father's Day.
1941: Mother's Day added to the calendar in Vichy
In 1941, Mother's Day was added to the calendar in Vichy.
1949: Flaminaire introduces Father's Day in France
In 1949, lighter manufacturer Flaminaire first introduced the idea of Father's Day in France for commercial reasons.
1950: "la Fête des Pères" introduced
In 1950, Flaminaire introduced "la Fête des Pères", to take place every third Sunday of June.
1952: Father's Day officially decreed in France
In 1952, Father's Day was officially decreed in France, and a national Father's Day committee was set up.
1953: Proposal to celebrate Father's Day in educational establishments
In 1953, the proposal to celebrate Father's Day in all educational establishments on 24 August, in honor of José de San Martín, was raised to the General Direction of Schools of Mendoza Province.
1957: Father's Day Council of Australia established
The Father's Day Council of Australia was established in 1957 and continues to honor distinguished fathers with an annual Australian Father of the Year award.
1958: First Father's Day celebrated in schools of Mendoza Province
Father's Day was celebrated for the first time in 1958, on the third Sunday of June, in schools of Mendoza Province.
June 1977: First mention of Father's Day in Malta
The first mention of Father's Day in Malta was in June 1977.
1979: Change of Father's Day in Iran
After the 1979 revolution in Iran, Father's Day was changed to the 13th of Rajab, the birthday of Ali bin Abi Talib.
1982: Father's Day Law in Mendoza Province
In 1982, the governor of Mendoza Province passed a law that officially recognized and mandated the celebration of Father's Day on August 24th within the province.
1988: Philippine President proclaims Father's Day
In 1988, Philippine President Corazon Aquino proclaimed the third Sunday of June as Father's Day.
1998: Estrada designates first Monday of December as Mother's and Father's Day
Under Proclamation No. 58, series of 1998, then Philippine President Joseph Ejercito Estrada designated the first Monday of December of every year as Mother's Day and Father's Day.
2004: Proposal to Change Father's Day Date
In 2004, a proposal was presented to the Argentine Chamber of Deputies aiming to change the date of Father's Day to August 24th as a unified project.
August 2005: Mongolian Men's Association begins Father's Day
The Mongolian Men's Association began the celebration of Father's Day on August 8, 2005.
2006: Father's Day declared in Indonesia
In 2006, Father's Day in Indonesia was first declared in Surakarta City Hall.
2006: Father's Day in British popular culture
In 2006, Steve Roud stated that Father's Day entered British popular culture "sometime after the Second World War, not without opposition".
2008: Father's Day officially born in Latvia
In 2008, Father's Day was officially born in Latvia when it was celebrated and marked in the calendar for the first time on 14 September.
September 2009: Law instituting Father's Day in Romania passed
On 29 September 2009, the law instituting the celebration of Father's Day in Romania passed.
May 2010: First Father's Day celebrated in Romania
On 9 May 2010, Father's Day was celebrated for the first time in Romania.
2011: Father's Day not celebrated in South Sudan
In 2011, Father's Day was not celebrated in South Sudan due to the country's independence.
August 2012: First Father's Day celebrated in South Sudan
On August 27, 2012, Father's Day was first celebrated in South Sudan, following a proclamation by President Salva Kiir Mayardit.
2012: Defender of the Fatherland Day in Kazakhstan
Since 2012, Kazakhstan celebrates Defender of the Fatherland Day on 7 May, perceived as 'a men's day' and honoring men so it is vaguely a celebration of fathers.
June 2017: Campaign for Responsible Fatherhood in Pakistan
On Father's Day, Sunday, 18 June 2017, the Rutgers WPF launched a campaign titled 'Greening Pakistan – Promoting Responsible Fatherhood' across Pakistan to promote active fatherhood.
2021: Father's Day established in Russia
In 2021, President Vladimir Putin established Father's Day as falling on the third Sunday of October in Russia.
2022: Father's Day Celebration Date Change in Colombia
In 2022, Colombia officially celebrated Father's Day on June 26th to avoid coinciding with the second round of the presidential elections.
