Father’s day History,Facts and Trivia

Father’s day has been actively celebrated all around the world for the last 10 decades. It is not only to honor your father, but also all the men who acted as a father figure in your life. Isn’t it high time you know about the history and facts associated with this speical day? Read on to know more about the Fathers Day history and share what you learn with others this year.

What Makes A Dad

God took the strength of a mountain, The majesty of a tree,
The warmth of a summer sun, The calm of a quiet sea,
The generous soul of nature, The comforting arm of night,
The wisdom of the ages, The power of the eagle’s flight,
The joy of a morning in spring, The faith of a mustard seed,
The patience of eternity, The depth of a family need,
Then God combined these qualities, When there was nothing more to add,
He knew His masterpiece was complete,
And so, He called it … Dad

~Author Unknown~

When is Father’s Day celebrated around the world? Along with the United States and Canada, Britain also celebrates Father’s day on the third Sunday in the month of June. However, several countries celebrate this day on different dates and months. In Australia and New Zealand, Father’s Day is celebrated on the first Sunday in September. In Belgium and Spain, this day is observed on the 19th of March. There are a couple of other countries which celebrate Father’s day in the winter season.

Which flowers are associated with Father’s Day? If you think that flowers are meant just for women and are a feminine present, then think again. Even dads appreciated the gift of flowers, because flowers are a loving and a thoughtful gift. Traditionally fathers should be given white or red roses. If you are planning to wear flowers on this Father’s Day, consider red roses to celebrate the long living of your father. Wear a white rose in memory of him if has passed away.

Did you know? - Fatherhood Facts:

• Did you know 6 out of 10 children are praised nearly three times a day by their father?
• Did you know that there are around 64.3 million fathers in America?
• Did you know that nearly 14% of fathers are full-time stay-at-home dads, in families where mother’s work outside home?
• Did you know 2/3rd’s of children under the age of 6 do not eat dinner without their dads?
• Did you know that one in twelve men serving in the army are dads?
• Did you know around 38% of the working dads say they would take a pay cut to spend more time with their kids?
• Did you know Albert Einstein is said to be the father of “Modern science”?

Father’s Day History, Trivia & Facts

• Father’s day was first recognized by Mrs. Sonora Smart Dodd (now known as “the mother of Father’s Day”) whose father had, as a single parent, raised his six children. She conceived the idea of celebrating Father’s Day while she was listening to a Mother’s Day sermon in 1909. The first Father’s Day was celebrated on June 19, 1910.
• In the year 1916, US president Woodrow Wilson approved the idea of observing an annual Father’s Day. And in the year 1924, President Calvin Coolidge made Father’s Day a national event.
• After a couple of decades, President Lyndon Johnson designated the third Sunday in June as Father’s Day and issued the first presidential proclamation honoring fathers in the year 1966. Then in the year 1972 President Richard Nixon signed the public law that made the Father’s Day celebration permanent. Since then this day is celebrated each year.
• Around 72% of Americans celebrate and acknowledge Father’s day.
• Do you know Father’s Day has acquired fourth position last year ( nearly 95 million Father’s Day cards were given last year in the United States) as the most popular card sending holiday, with an estimated $100 million sales figure.
• According to a survey, sons and daughters send 50% of the Father’s Day card to their dads. Nearly 20 percent of Father’s Day cards are purchased by wives for their husbands. That leaves 30 percent of the cards which go to grandfathers, sons, brothers, uncles and “someone special.”
• Father’s Day is not a modern invention. It was first celebrated by a Babylonian youth named Elmesu, who carved a father’s Day card out of clay, around 4,000 years ago. His special card was to wish his father good health and long life.

Honor Thy Father!! - celebrate your father and your other father figures this year!