Every year, millions of people celebrate Father’s Day to honor fathers and father figures. But while the occasion is widely recognized around the world, many people still wonder when Father’s Day started, why it is celebrated on different dates, and when the Arab world adopted the tradition. Discover the full story behind Father’s Day and how countries across the world celebrate it today.
Where Did Father's Day Begin?
It all started with a daughter who loved her father deeply. In 1909, a woman named Sonora Smart Dodd was sitting in church in Spokane, Washington, listening to a Mother's Day sermon. As she listened, one thought kept coming back to her: what about fathers?
Sonora's own father, William Smart, was a Civil War veteran who was left to raise six children on his own after his wife died in childbirth. He worked hard, sacrificed a lot, and never complained. To Sonora, he deserved his own day of recognition just as much as any mother did.
She started campaigning for it, won the support of local churches and community leaders, and on June 19, 1910, the first Father's Day was celebrated in Spokane, Washington.
But it took a long time for the rest of the world to catch on.
Many men at the time actually resisted the holiday. They felt it was too sentimental and even found the idea of being honored with flowers a little embarrassing. For decades, Father's Day remained informal and was never officially recognized at the national level in the US.
That changed in 1972, when President Richard Nixon signed it into law, making the third Sunday of June a permanent national holiday in the United States. More than 60 years after Sonora first had her idea, Father's Day finally had its official place on the calendar.
When Is Father's Day Celebrated Around the World?
Father's Day is not the same date everywhere. Here is a quick look at how different regions observe it:
- Most of the world (including the US, UK, Canada, France, India, and many others): third Sunday in June
- Arab countries (such as Egypt, UAE, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine): June 21, the first day of summer
- Catholic Europe (Spain, Portugal, Italy, and parts of Latin America): March 19, the Feast of Saint Joseph
- Australia and New Zealand: first Sunday of September
How Did the Arab World Start Celebrating Father's Day?
The story of Father's Day in the Arab world actually starts with Mother's Day.
In 1943, Egyptian journalist Mustafa Amin visited the United States and was moved by the American Mother's Day tradition. He wrote about it in his book Smiling America and spent years campaigning for Egypt to adopt something similar. By 1956, Mother's Day had become a celebrated occasion in Egypt, and the idea quickly spread to neighboring Arab countries.
Once Mother's Day took root, a natural question followed: if we celebrate mothers, why not fathers too?
Mustafa Amin and his twin brother Ali Amin, two of the most influential journalists in Egyptian history, are credited with encouraging the celebration of Father's Day in Egypt as well. The two holidays grew together, and from Egypt the tradition spread across the Arab world.
Over time, many Arab countries adopted June 21 as the recognized date for Father’s Day celebrations. The date coincides with the beginning of summer and became widely associated with family celebrations across the region.
How Is Father's Day Celebrated?
Father's Day looks a little different from one family to another, but the feeling behind it is always the same.
In many homes, the day starts with a special family breakfast or brunch, with kids putting in the extra effort to cook dad's favorite meal. Others keep it simple and meaningful: a handwritten card, a long phone call, or just sitting together and watching a movie.
Thoughtful Father’s Day gifts are a big part of the celebration too. Some families choose elegant men's gifts, like watches or personalized gifts, while others prefer flowers, cakes, or curated sweet boxes. The idea is less about the price and more about showing dad that he is seen and appreciated.
In many families across the Arab world, Father's Day is a full family gathering, where children and grandchildren come together under one roof to celebrate the man who held everything together.
Some people also use the day to honor other father figures in their lives: a grandfather who stepped in, an uncle who was always there, or a mentor who felt like family.
Father’s Day may be celebrated on different dates around the world, but its meaning remains the same everywhere: appreciation, love, and gratitude for the fathers who shaped our lives in countless quiet ways. Whether through a heartfelt conversation, a thoughtful gesture, or a meaningful gift, the occasion is a reminder to celebrate the people who have always been there for us.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Father's Day in the Arab world?
Father's Day is celebrated on June 21 every year in many Arab countries, such as Egypt, UAE, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine.
When did Father's Day start?
The first Father's Day was celebrated on June 19, 1910, in Spokane, Washington, organized by Sonora Smart Dodd. It became a US national holiday in 1972.
Who introduced Father's Day in the Arab world?
Egyptian journalists Mustafa and Ali Amin, who had earlier championed Mother's Day in Egypt in the 1950s, are credited with encouraging the celebration of Father's Day in the Arab world as well.
Is Father's Day a public holiday in Arab countries?
In most Arab countries, Father's Day is not a public holiday. It is a cultural celebration observed by families.
What are popular Father's Day gifts?
Popular Father’s Day gifts include flowers, sweet boxes, personalized keepsakes, and curated gift sets. The most important thing is that the gift feels thoughtful and personal.
