Father's Day

Similar to the celebration of Mother’s Day, Father’s Day is also celebrated on different days in different countries. In the US, it is on the third Sunday of June. Countries such as Canada, Argentina, Mexico, Venezuela, UK, France, Greece, Ireland, India, Pakistan, South Africa and Singapore also celebrate Father’s Day on the third Sunday of June. Father’s Day is observed on the first Sunday of September in Australia and New Zealand and second Sunday of August in Brazil. In Thailand, Father’s Day is celebrated on the late King Bhumipol Adulyadej’s birthday on December 5. In Malaysia, we emulate the US and celebrate Father’s Day on the third Sunday of June. Father’s Day celebration originated from the US. The first Father’s Day was celebrated on June 19, 1910 in the state of Washington, United States. Sermons were held throughout the city by local clergymen to honour fathers. In 1913, the US Congress officially designated the third Sunday of June as Father’s Day. However, it was only in 1972, when Father’s Day celebration was formally acknowledged by President Richard Nixon under the Congressional Act and permanently enforced on the third Sunday of June throughout the United States. Today, Father’s Day is celebrated to recognise the contributions that fathers and father figures make to the lives of their children. Father’s Day is the celebration of fatherhood and male parenting.