Top 10 Countries that Celebrate Father’s Day

3^rd Sunday of the Month of June marks the day of Father’s Day. This is actually a worldwide recognition and celebration to all fathers who are parents or fathers themselves. Hence, there are other countries that celebrate Father’s day in other days and not the typical 3^rd Sunday that is set primarily in United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Pakistan, India, Argentina, Ireland, Greece, Venezuela, Singapore and South Africa. Some countries celebrate it in other months of Sundays like September, August, and December. There are also different traditions and cultures associated with this day that also varies according to countries. Some nations considered and declared it as one of their legal holidays that must be observed especially to those countries wherein they don’t celebrate it on a 3^rd Sunday. What are the top 10 countries that do observe and religiously celebrate Father’s Day, and what are the things that they do that gives value to the fathers of the world.

10. Argentina

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Just like the original date of Father’s Day that took place in United States, people in Argentina celebrate it every 3^rd Sunday of June. It is also being jubilated in Chile and Canada. According to history there were pursuits to change it to August 24 to give respect to Jose de San Martin who is known as Father of the Nation. The proposal was made in different schools, but this was not yet included in the official list of school calendars despite that it was celebrated the first time in June of 1958. Finally in 2004, it was approved, but until now the passing of it in the Senate is still on the waiting list that’s considered by everyone as a failure although Mendoza Province celebrates Father’s Day every 24^th of August.

9. United States

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For everyone’s information Father’s Day celebration actually commenced in United States at the beginning of 20^th century. This gives balance to mother’s day celebration that is being held every 2^nd Sunday of May. This became possible because of the efforts of Anna Jarvis where she mentioned that there should also be similar holidays for other members of the family. Based in the history, Father’s Day was founded in 1910 in Spokane, Washington by Sonora Smart Dodd. She was inspired to make commemoration to all fathers not just to his father William Jackson Smart who was a veteran from Civil War after hearing a sermon from the pastor giving praises to Jarvi’s Mother. There were issues that need to be resolved for the legal passing and recognition of father’s day politically speaking, but President Richard Nixon approved and signed it in 1972 declaring June as Father’s Day.

8. France

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Just like United States and Argentina, people in France also observed Father’s Day every 3^rd Sunday of June. It is also a dedicated day to fathers in Japan. On this day, fathers receive chocolates and other homemade gifts like poems and paintings. Families would normally eat out or would prepare delicious or special meals at home. Their celebration of it can be traced back on March 19 St. Joseph’s Day. By 1952, it was declared as an official decree recognizing it as a legal celebration of Father’s Day.

7. Germany

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This is one of the countries on this list that celebrates Father’s day on different dates. It is hailed every Ascension Day that happens after 40 days after Easter that falls on Thursday. This is also a Federal Holiday to them. In different regions in their country Father’s Day is also known as Mannertag, Men’s Day, Herrentag, and Gentlemen’s Day. The Ascension Day is being celebrated since 18^th century and it changed in 20^th century where men see it as a day to get drunk. They have different ways to observe it although majority of them especially the German fathers to control their alcohol consumption while the young men were ruining the real meaning of Father’s day since they create chaos and trouble once they get drunk. This creates a dirty image of this most special day to fathers in Germany.

6. Italy

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People in Italy celebrate Father’s day every 19^th of March which is patterned under the tradition of the Roman Catholic which is in lieu with Saint Joseph’s Day which is also known as Feast of Saint Joseph. Nevertheless, it is not declared as public holiday in their country. On this day kids prepare gifts that they will give to their dads, but this is well-celebrated in Rome and Florence where you could feel the spirit and festivity of it for several days. You’ll enjoy food, drinks, dances, and music. Of course, it will never be completed without going to church where people offer prayers to St. Joseph as their father that they revere and look up to until this day.

5. Spain

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Just like in Italy, they celebrate Father’s day every 19^th of March in respect to St. Joseph that people see as a father figure to all fathers. It is also declared as a public holiday in some regions in Spain. Some of the stores are closed on this day although in other places they are still in operation. There are fireworks displays and parades. You could see people wearing and flaunting their colorful fabrics, ornaments, and other hand knitted clothes.

4. Portugal

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Portugal, Spain, and Italy actually share an equal ranking on this list, but category classified according to their ways of celebrating Father’s Day. They are also following Roman Catholic traditions, but this is not a bank holiday for them. Portuguese say Father’s day this way “Feliz Dia do Pai. They have different activities that families can do together.

3. Romania

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Who would have thought that the official Father’s day in this country has finally legalized and approved in 2010. Yes, among the European Union, Romania is the only country that did not celebrate Father’s day and it was only accepted because of the efforts made by this group called TATA which is also known as The Alliance Fighting Discrimination Against Fathers. However, their father’s day happens every second Sunday of May just like Mother’s Day celebration in most parts of the world.

2. Russia

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This is not really called as Father’s Day in Russia but Fatherland Day which was every 23^rd day of February to commemorate the founding of the Red Army during the Civil War in Russia. This is actually a day to give tribute and honor to those men who have served and still serve in military. There are also gift giving where children send gifts to their fathers. It is also known as Men’s Day. This was first celebrated during World War 1 in 1918 that is also a counterpart observance of Women’s Day every 8^th of March. This was declared as a formal holiday by President Putin, but it’s more focused to military accomplishments and Russian soldiers.

1. Thailand

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This day is set to celebrate the birthday of their king Rama IX on December 05. You would see people in Thailand wearing yellow to give respect and remember the late king since it symbolizes the color of the day for Monday where the King was born. You would see parades, annual speech is given by the king yearly, and there would be national ceremony thereafter. Hence, mother’s day in this country is observed on the birthday of the Queen.