Celebrate Father's Day

Although not strictly speaking a "Father's Day", the tradition of celebrating dads seems to date back to the 15th century, when the Catholic Church instituted March 19 as St. Joseph's Day (who was the adoptive father of Jesus). The celebration of this feast developed from the end of the 16th century, Joseph gradually becoming the patron saint of fathers. To celebrate the event, children made small gifts or gave flowers to their fathers.

 

An American Renaissance

The idea was taken up in 1909 by an American woman: Sonora Smart Dodd realized that no official event existed to celebrate fathers, unlike Mother's Day. Wishing to pay tribute to her father who had raised his 6 children alone, she asked to organize a celebration in honor of fathers in the city of Spokane (in the state of Washington), on her father's birthday, June 19th. Under the initiative of President Calvin Coolidge, many American States adopted this idea, but it was not until 1972 that President Richard Nixon established Father's Day as a national celebration.

Father's Day Dates

In France, the Flaminaire brand (now BIC) is credited with bringing Father's Day up to date in 1949. During large advertising campaigns, it invited its customers to offer fathers a lighter as a gift... Father's Day was thus reintroduced and quickly became popular and well-loved tradition.

 

This year, the date of Father's Day is set for Sunday, June 15th both for France, the United States of America, and many other countries. For Spain, Portugal and Italy, it will be on March 19th. One more occasion to celebrate spring!