Father's Day Traditions Around The World

On Sunday, Americans will celebrate Father’s Day, when we honor all the rad dads and other father figures out there. 

The tradition dates to the early 20th century in the U.S. and has a bittersweet history involving loss and single parenting. Celebrating the day grew in popularity, but it wasn’t until 1966 that President Lyndon Johnson issued a proclamation making the third Sunday in June each year Father’s Day. President Richard Nixon made it a permanent federal holiday in 1972.

The U.S. isn’t the only country with a holiday honoring dads. Many other countries hold celebrations like Father’s Day at various times of the year and commemorate the occasion with their own traditions, as well as practices inspired by the U.S. holiday.

Nepal

The Nepalese religious rituals called Gokarna Aunsi , Kushe Aunsi or Buba ko mukh herne din  take place in late summer. These occasions are special for fathers , as people spend time with their dads, offering food and gifts and praying for fathers who have died. Many people visit holy places like Gokarna to pray to the Hindu deity Shiva and perform rituals in honor of their deceased fathers. 

Italy 

Italians honor their fathers in conjunction with St. Joseph’s Day on March 19. This is true for celebrations in some other Catholic countries like Spain and Portugal. The holy day is associated with fathers because as Mary’s husband, St. Joseph was a father figure to Jesus Christ. 

Thailand

In Thailand, Father’s Day has traditionally taken place on the birthday of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, on Dec. 5.  (Mother’s Day takes place on the birthday of Queen Sirikit in August.) The king typically gave a speech, and people would give canna flowers to their fathers and grandfathers. After Bhumibol’s death in 2016, his son took the throne, but it seems that Thais continue to honor their fathers on the late king’s birthday. 

France

La Fête des Pères is held on the third Sunday in June and reportedly became popular in the mid–20th century because of an ad campaign marketing lighters as the perfect gift for dads.