The celebration of paternal bond is observed on third Sunday of June and this year it is on 20 June, 2021

The celebration of this lovely, warm paternal bond is quite popular all over the world, though the dates of observance might differ in some countries. However, India follows the American date which is the third Sunday of June. For Catholic European countries like Portugal, Spain, Croatia, Italy, Father’s Day is celebrated on March 19 which is St. Joseph’s Day. Australia observes it on the first Sunday of September; Norway, Sweden and Finland follow the second Sunday in November. Russia celebrates on February 23.

The aim of the day to express appreciation and acknowledge the role of the father figure in children’s lives, and society as a whole. UNICEF too, had harped on the critical role the fathers play in early childhood learning.

What is the reason of celebration only in third Sunday of June ?

Father’s Day originated in the United States. It was on 19 June, 1910, the first Father’s Day celebration took place.
Sonora Dodd, the daughter of American Civil War veteran William Jackson Smart had requested the Spokane Ministerial Alliance observe 5 June which was her father’s birthday, to honor fatherhood. Her father had raised six children, as a single parent. Her deep sense of gratitude, love propelled her to make this request.
She was also inspired by Anna Jarvis’ endeavor to bring about Mother’s Day, and proposed the Father’s Day idea.
Finally, the Church agreed upon the third Sunday of June to commemorate. Following which, much later in 1966, President Lyndon B Johnson announced the third Sunday of June as Father’s Day as he signed a presidential proclamation.
Almost 62 years later from 1910, Father’s Day was declared as a national holiday by Richard Nixon who was the then President of the US (1972).
There is also information that states Father’s Day was observed on 5 July, 1908, in West Virginia after a mining accident in Monongah, USA, to honour the fathers who lost their lives in the disaster.
Since then, Father’s Day has been celebrated with great enthusiasm and joy. Father’s Day celebration emphasizes the paternal bond, the role of father figure in children’s lives, families, and society at large.