A father and his importance in a child’s life is paramount. Often overlooked in front of mothers, a father is equally responsible for moulding a child. Though the roles are not as structured and orthodox as they were before, a father is always the ‘inspirational” figure in a child’s life that they look up to. Our fathers’ achievements and sacrifices in our lives do not require a special day to commemorate them, still, we celebrate their presence in our lives every year on the third Sunday of June as Father’s Day. A father is that one particular man who is a friend, dad, philosopher, and leader who always protects us in every aspect of our lives.
As someone rightly said, “Dads are most ordinary men turned by love into heroes, adventurers, story-tellers, and singers of the song’, and it is true to the last word. Fathers are indeed the unsung heroes that deserve our love and appreciation.
Also Read: Pride Month: Eight LGBTQ personalities who rose to success and stardom
History
The history of Father’s Day is a fascinating one. It all started in 1909 when a woman named Sonora Dodd decided to honor her father on the third Sunday of June. He had passed away a few years prior, and she wanted to honor his memory. It started with her hanging a wreath on a tree in Spokane.
Another account mentions that Father’s Day celebrations began around the time when hundreds of men died in a mining mishap on July 5, 1908. The daughter of a dedicated reverend, Grace Golden, proposed a Sunday service for all the men who lost their lives in the accident.
Anyhow, as this ritual began over the years, more and more people started to follow, and in 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson made it an official holiday. When President Richard Nixon signed a proclamation in 1972, Father’s Day began to gain popularity in the United States. Father’s Day has been observed on the third Sunday in June every year since then.
Also Read: Remembering Angels on Earth – Happy International Nurses Day
When is Father’s Day celebrated?
Father’s Day is observed on several dates around the world. It is celebrated on the third Sunday in June in the United States and has also gained popularity in India in recent years. It is observed on the third Sunday in June in most countries. So for India, it is celebrated on June 19 this year.
On March 19, countries such as Portugal, Spain, Croatia, and Italy commemorate Father’s Day. It is observed on August 8 in Taiwan and December 5 in Thailand, the birthday of former King Bhumibol Adulyadej. This particular day is celebrated in September by Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and Papua New Guinea.
Also Read: Top 5 Disney films that broke gender stereotypes
Father’s Day Celebrations
Dads have a special place in our hearts. Ideally, we should express our love and affection to them daily, but that seldom happens. Hence, Father’s Day is the perfect time to convey your feelings and surprise your dads with thoughtful presents and gestures and make this day a memorable one for your dad!
1. Personalised Letter – Nothing expresses love more than a hand-written letter where you can pour your emotions into words. Beyond the stereotypes of dads being unexpressive in their affection, they are purely emotional beings on the inside, and a personalised note can surely overwhelm them and make their day an unforgettable one!
2. Home Cooked Meal – It’s a cliche but works wonders with both the parents! A love-infused home-cooked meal can express the same intensity of emotions as a heartfelt letter. Make sure to cook your dad’s best meal!
3. Anything from the heart! – In the end, what matters is the emotion you wish to depict through your gift, and anything, be it a watch or a wallet or even a Netflix subscription in his name, what stands out is the love you wish to express!
How to ideally celebrate Father's Day is very personal to generalise, so it's always suggested to go with the gut and plan the celebrations accordingly.A very happy Father's Day to all the Father's of the world!
Image Credits: Times of India
