What is Father’s Day?
Father’s Day is a celebration honouring fathers and celebrating fatherhood, paternal bonds and the influence of fathers in society. It is a day for people to show their appreciation for fathers and father figures. Father figures may include stepfathers, fathers-in-law, guardians (eg. foster parents), and family friends.
In Australia Father’s Day is celebrated on the first Sunday of September and is usually celebrated with gifts and family get togethers.
Background
There are some suggestions that the idea of Father’s Day may originate in pagan sun worship. Some branches of paganism see the Sun as the father of the universe.
The idea of a special day to honour fathers and celebrate fatherhood was introduced from the United States. A woman called Sonora Smart Dodd was inspired by the American Mother’s Day celebrations and planned a day to honour fathers early in the 20th century. The first Father’s Day was celebrated in Spokane, Washington on June 19, 1910.
Symbols
Images of fathers or father figures, and the words “Happy Father’s Day” are often seen on marketing material, such as posters, postcards, and advertisements, to promote Father’s Day.
