Father’s Day 2025: When to Celebrate Father’s Day, Know Date, History, Significance and More

Father’s Day 2025: Father's Day is a poignant occasion commemorating the love, sacrifices, and guidance of fathers and father figures around the world.  It is a day to show gratitude and appreciation to the guys who play an important part in building families and society.  Though commemorated in different countries on various days, the sentiment is universal—to recognise the strength, support, and unconditional love of dads.

When is Father’s Day Celebrated?

Unlike the fixed date of Mother's Day (which is always the second Sunday in May in many countries), Father’s Day typically falls on the third Sunday of June in a majority of countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, India, and many European nations. This means the specific date varies each year, ensuring it always lands on a weekend.

For 2025, Father's Day will be celebrated on Sunday, June 15th.

Father’s Day History

The roots of Father's Day are frequently traced to a wish to supplement Mother's Day with a day of recognition for fathers.  While several local fatherhood festivities existed in the past, the modern rendition gained popularity in the early twentieth century.  According to popular belief, Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington, was the first to start the Father's Day movement.  After witnessing a Mother's Day ceremony in 1909, Dodd was inspired to create a comparable day for fathers, especially her own father, William Smart, a Civil War veteran who raised six children as a single parent.

Dodd’s efforts resulted in the first Father’s Day celebration, held on June 19, 1910, in Spokane, Washington. She chose June to commemorate her father’s birthday. While the concept garnered some initial momentum, it was not immediately adopted statewide. Various individuals and organisations championed the cause over the decades that followed. Presidents Woodrow Wilson and Calvin Coolidge both endorsed a national Father's Day.  Father's Day was not formally recognised as a national holiday in the United States until 1972, when President Richard Nixon signed legislation establishing it as such.

Father’s Day Significance

• Fatherhood spans a wide range of responsibilities, from biological dads and stepfathers to grandfathers, uncles, mentors, and any other male figure who offers direction, support, and affection. Father’s Day is an opportunity to recognise and thank all of these folks.

• Fathers play an important part in their children’s growth by presenting unique viewpoints, instilling values, teaching life skills, and providing emotional and financial support. This day commemorates their dedication and sacrifice.

• By honouring fathers, society reinforces the value of positive male role models in raising children and building strong family groups.

• The day allows families to gather together, express appreciation, and make lasting memories, forging intergenerational relationships.

• Modern fatherhood has evolved, with many fathers taking on more active roles in childcare and domestic responsibilities. Father’s Day recognizes and celebrates these changing dynamics.

• For many, Father’s Day is a moment for personal reflection on the lessons learned from their fathers and an opportunity to express heartfelt gratitude for their presence and influence.