Father’s Day is special to many children in and around Pakistan. Fathers are often the backbone of a family. From guidance to protection and playfulness, children often find their best friends in their fathers
Sunday, June 18 marks a special occasion that honors the pillar of strength, guidance, and love in our lives – Father’s Day. On this day, people around the world take the opportunity to express their appreciation for their fathers and father figures. Who has played an essential role in shaping their lives? Whether through short messages, meaningful quotes, or heartfelt captions. Individuals are finding unique ways to celebrate the extraordinary men in our lives.
Father’s Day is not observed on a fixed date. In most of countries, the occasion is marked on the third Sunday of every June. In Pakistan, Father’s Day is falling on June 18 this year. However, in countries like Croatia, Italy, Portugal, and Spain, Father’s Day is celebrated on March 19. In Thailand, celebrations of Father’s Day are held on December 5, which is the birthday of former King Bhumibol Adulyadej. While Taiwan celebrates the occasion on August 8.
History behind the ocassion
Father’s Day originated in the US after the daughter of a Civil War veteran, Sonora Smart Dodd, wanted to pay an ode to all fathers across the globe. William Jackson Smart was a single father to six children. His daughter decided to honor him by choosing his birth anniversary, June 5, 1982, to celebrate Father’s Day. It is believed that she took inspiration from Anna Jarvis, the founder of Mother’s Day. However, her journey was far from smooth, as her church did not support her petition. Eventually, she had to rally several other local churches for support. Finally, the date got pushed from June 5 to the third Sunday of June. In 1910, Father’s Day was marked for the first time.
In just six years, the celebration became so popular that in 1916, US President Woodrow Wilson officially observed it while in Spokane, Washington, Dodd’s hometown. Meanwhile, in some countries, such as Spain and Lithuania, Father’s Day is considered a public holiday.
As such, what started as a daughter’s love for her father soon took the form of Father’s Day and began to be celebrated worldwide. We see echoes of this love of children for their fathers in handmade gifts and cards, among other special initiatives undertaken on this day. Not only does such a celebration express our gratitude, respect, and love toward our fathers, but also helps strengthen our bonds with them.
