History of Father's Day in Timeline

Father's Day is a celebration dedicated to honoring fathers, fatherhood, paternal bonds, and the significant role fathers play in society. Celebrated on different dates globally, it complements events like Mother's Day. Traditions for honoring fatherhood vary across regions.

1908: First Observation of Father's Day in the United States

Father's Day was first observed in the United States in 1908 and gradually gained popularity.

1908: Grace Golden Clayton Proposes Father's Day

In 1908, Grace Golden Clayton proposed Father's Day to honor the men who died in a mining accident in the US.

1909: Sonora Smart Dodd Advocates for Father's Day

In 1909 Sonora Smart Dodd, raised by her father, 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 "Second Sunday in May, Mother's Day, Anna Jarvis, Founder"

In 1912, Anna Jarvis trademarked the phrase "Second Sunday in May, Mother's Day, Anna Jarvis, Founder," specifying "Mother's" should be 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 on Father's Day.

1928: Mother's Day Made Official in France

In France, la Fête des Mères (Mother's Day) was made official in 1928.

July 1929: First Observation of Father's Day at St Matthew's Church, Auckland

Father's Day was first observed at St Matthew's Church, Auckland on 14 July 1929.

1931: Adoption of Father's Day by Other Churches

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 Advert in Wellington

In 1937, a Father's Day advertisement appeared in Wellington.

1938: Salvation Army Service in Christchurch

In 1938, a Salvation Army service for Father's Day took place in Christchurch.

1941: Mother's Day Added to the Calendar in Vichy, France

In 1941, la Fête des Mères (Mother's Day) was added to the calendar in Vichy, France.

1949: Flaminaire Introduces Father's Day in France

In 1949, French lighter manufacturer Flaminaire introduced the idea of Father's Day for commercial reasons.

1950: Introduction of "la Fête des Pères" in France

In 1950, Flaminaire introduced "la Fête des Pères", taking place every third Sunday of June, with the slogan "Nos papas nous l'ont dit, pour la fête des pères, ils désirent tous un Flaminaire".

1952: Official Decree of Father's Day in France

In 1952, Father's Day was officially decreed in France, with a national committee set up to award deserving fathers.

1953: Proposal to celebrate Father's Day on August 24

In 1953, a proposal was presented to the General Direction of Schools of Mendoza Province to celebrate Father's Day in all educational establishments on August 24 in honor of José de San Martín.

1957: Establishment of the Father's Day Council of Australia

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 celebration of Father's Day on the third Sunday of June

In 1958, Father's Day was celebrated for the first time on the third Sunday of June; however, it was not included in school calendars due to pressure from several groups.

June 1977: First Mention of Father's Day Celebrations in Malta

The first mention of Father's Day celebrations in Malta was in June 1977, encouraged by Frans H Said, and the day is now part of the local events calendar.

1977: Father's Day No Longer a Public Holiday in Italy

Until 1977, Father's Day was a recognized public holiday in Italy.

1979: Change of Father's Day in Iran After Revolution

Following 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 declared on August 24 in Mendoza Province

In 1982, the provincial governor passed a law declaring Father's Day in Mendoza Province to be celebrated on August 24.

1988: Philippine President Corazon Aquino Proclaims Father's Day

In 1988, Philippine President Corazon Aquino proclaimed Father's Day to be observed on the third Sunday of June.

1998: Philippine President Estrada Designates Mother's Day and Father's Day

In 1998, under Proclamation No. 58, then Philippine President Joseph Ejercito Estrada designated the first Monday of December as Mother's Day and Father's Day, repealing the third Sunday of June observance.

2004: Proposal to change Father's Day date presented to Argentine Chamber of Deputies

In 2004, a proposal was presented to the Argentine Chamber of Deputies to change the date of Father's Day to August 24 as a single, unified project.

August 2005: Mongolian Men's Association Begins Father's Day Celebration

The Mongolian Men's Association began the celebration of Father's Day on 8 August 2005.

2006: Father's Day Enters British Popular Culture

According to Steve Roud, in 2006, Father's Day entered British popular culture "sometime after the Second World War, not without opposition".

2006: First Declaration of Father's Day in Indonesia

Father's Day in Indonesia was first declared in 2006 in Surakarta City Hall, with the participation of various community groups.

2008: Official Birth of Father's Day in Latvia

Father's Day was officially celebrated and marked in the calendar for the first time in Latvia on 14 September 2008 (second Sunday of September).

September 2009: Law Instituting Father's Day Passed in Romania

The law instituting the celebration of Father's Day in Romania passed on 29 September 2009.

May 2010: First Father's Day Celebrated in Romania

The first Father's Day was celebrated in Romania on 9 May 2010.

2011: No Father's Day Celebration 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

The first celebration of Father's Day in South Sudan took place on 27 August 2012, following a proclamation by President Salva Kiir Mayardit.

2012: Kazakhstan Celebrates Defender of the Fatherland Day

Since 2012, Kazakhstan celebrates Defender of the Fatherland Day on 7 May to commemorate the foundation of the armed forces.

June 2017: Rutgers WPF Launches 'Greening Pakistan' Campaign

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.