Why Does Father’s Day Exist?
A Look at the History, Global Traditions & What Father's Day Means in 2025
Ever typed “Why do we celebrate Father’s Day?” into Google? You’re not alone — it’s a question many people ask as June rolls around. And while it’s tempting to assume it was all invented to sell socks and BBQ aprons (no judgement if that’s your plan), the truth is a bit more heartfelt. Yes, we were surprised too!
As Father’s Day 2025 (UK) approaches on Sunday 15 June, we’re taking a look at the real reason Father’s Day exists, how it all began, and the unique ways it’s celebrated around the world.
🌷 First Came Mother’s Day…
To understand the history of Father’s Day, we have to start with Mother’s Day. It came first — and not because mums are better at dropping hints or tend to do more of the work...
Anna Jarvis, born in 1864 in West Virginia, was inspired by her own mother, Ann Reeves Jarvis, who had been a peace activist and cared for wounded soldiers during the American Civil War. After her mother passed away in 1905, Anna was determined to create a day of remembrance to honour the sacrifices and devotion of mothers everywhere.
This led to the creation of our Modern Mother’s Day, becoming an official holiday in 1914 and quickly made its way across to the UK, where we celebrate it every March.
Anna Jarvis’s original idea was for it to be a personal, handwritten kind of celebration and ironically, she spent her later years campaigning against its commercialisation once florists and card companies jumped on board.
Who Invented Father’s Day (and why is it in June?)
While mums had their day in the calendar, it took a determined daughter to make the case for dads.
Sonora Smart Dodd was just 16 years old when her mother died, leaving her father — a Civil War veteran named William Jackson Smart — to raise six children alone in rural Arkansas. Sonora took on many duties to help her Father but had seen the strength, love and sacrifice her own Dad had shown in raising their family.
In 1909, inspired by a Mother's Day sermon, she requested to her church to host a dedication to Father's on June 5th, her Father's Birthday. However, the church decided to host the dedication on June 19th becoming the first recognised "Father's Day" in 1910, in Spokane, Washington.
While the idea gained some local attention and support from churches, it wasn’t until 1972, over 60 years later, that Father’s Day was officially recognised as a national holiday in the US. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson sent a telegraph to Spokane praising Father's Day services and finally in 1972, President Nixon established a permanent national observance of Father's Day to be held on the 3rd Sunday of June each year.
In the UK, we’ve followed the same “third Sunday in June” tradition ever since.
So despite the commercialisation today it is actually quite lovely to think that Father's Day started all from the love of one daughter who didn't want her Dad's efforts to be forgotten...so thanks Sonora!
Image courtesy of the Spokesman Review, 1919
How did it become so commercialised?
While both Mother’s and Father’s Day began as genuine efforts to recognise the importance of parenting, it’s fair to say that greeting card companies and gift retailers helped popularise them — especially Father’s Day, which needed a bit more encouragement to gain momentum.
From the 1930s onwards, menswear brands, tie manufacturers, and tobacco companies helped push Father’s Day into the public spotlight. In fact, the National Council for the Promotion of Father’s Day was formed in the US by commercial groups to promote the occasion.
So yes, while the heart behind the day is real, a few marketing departments definitely took it to the level we experience today.
Father’s Day Traditions Around the World
While we mark Father’s Day 2025 in the UK on Sunday 15 June, other parts of the world celebrate differently — and sometimes, with a lot more beer.
Here are a few interesting ways Father’s Day is celebrated globally:
Germany – Called Vatertag, it’s held on Ascension Day and often celebrated with hiking, wagons full of beer, and sausage picnics. This practice has historical roots dating back to the Middle Ages and has evolved into a day of male bonding and celebration
Thailand – Celebrated on December 5th, commemorating the birthday of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadejon. It is customary to dress with yellow shirts and participate in public events and ceremonies to honour fathers and the monarchy.
Nepal – Known as Gokarna Aunsi, it involves rituals and offerings to honour both living and deceased fathers.
Mexico – Día del Padre is also celebrated on the third Sunday in June, it is all about fun runs like the 21km run in Mexico city, heartfelt cards, and family feasts.
Japan – Gifts include handmade crafts, sweets, and sometimes grilled eel which symbolizes strength and virility!
From reflective rituals to fun family outings, the core idea is the same everywhere: take a moment to honour the men who’ve raised, supported, and shaped us.
🎉 Why Celebrate Father’s Day Today?
So, why do we still celebrate Father’s Day in 2025? Because it gives us space to say thank you — not just for the big gestures, but for the everyday acts of love.
For the dads who change nappies at 3 a.m., the ones who build flat-pack furniture (badly), who coach from the sidelines, or who send a “just checking in” text at the exact right time — they all deserve a little recognition.
Even if they’ll still insist, “I don’t need anything.”
Looking for the Perfect Father’s Day Gift?
Whether you’re buying for a first-time dad, a seasoned grandad, or a dad who “already has everything,” we’ve got a handpicked collection of thoughtful, funny, and practical gifts.