Since the first observance in the State of Washington on June 19, 1910 (it wasn’t made official in the U.S. until 1972), Father’s Day has honored dads in various ways. Here in the U.S., we spend the day with Dad fishing, enjoying barbecues and ball games, and giving him special gifts. America is not the only country to honor the family patriarch, however. Father’s Day is celebrated around the world with many unique traditions. Here is a sample:
- Thailand – People traditionally wear yellow and gift their fathers and grandfathers with a canna flower, as it is considered to have a “masculine association.”
- Uruguay – Fathers are honored with the hanging of a skeleton outside their home – a representation of Padre Esqueleto (Father Skeleton).
- Brazil – Fathers are celebrated with gigantic barbecue feasts.
- Mexico – The day is celebrated in much the same way it is in the U.S. In Mexico City, however, fathers take to the streets to run a 21k race called Carrera Día del Padre (“Father’s Day Race”).
- Japan – Children gift their fathers with homemade items that traditionally include origami, sweets or beer glasses.
- Russia – A day-long celebration starts with a military march and then includes festivals of music and games.
- Germany – Also known as Men’s Day, the traditional observance includes a hiking trip when groups of men eat and drink together. (It is not uncommon for many to take the following day off work to recover.)
The celebrations are different around the world, but the message is the same: Thank you, Dad, for being there whenever we need you.
Happy Father’s Day
