The History of Father's Day in the UK: A Celebration of Fatherhood

Every June, we Brits drag out the barbecue, search for the ideal card, and get ready to honour the father figures in our lives. But did you ever wonder about the origins of Father's Day? When was Father's Day established, and how did this observance make it to British soil? Come along with us as we discover the interesting history behind this yearly tradition of honouring dads everywhere.

The Origins of Father's Day

If we are trying to find out who created Father's Day, we are dealing with early 20th century America rather than the UK. The most popular account gives the credit to Sonora Smart Dodd, a woman from Spokane, Washington, who was brought up by her single father following the death of her mother during childbirth. Dodd, in 1909, while listening to a Mother's Day sermon, decided to create a comparable day to recognise fathers.

Her efforts were rewarded, and commercial Father's Day was initially celebrated in Spokane on June 19, 1910. The celebration did not catch on immediately throughout America, let alone on the other side of the Atlantic in British shores. It would take several decades and the sanction of commercial entities that would profit from the celebration (consider the makers of ties and cigarette accessories) before Father's Day became established.

This commercialisation prompted some to bemoan Father's Day as a "Hallmark holiday" with no other origin than as an excuse to market greeting cards. Yet the history of Father's Day itself suggests greater cultural significance and a sincere impulse to pay tribute to paternal bonds beyond the commercial.

Father's Day in Ancient and Medieval History

Even when there were no greeting cards and gift hampers, ancient civilizations had traditions to celebrate fatherhood. Father's Day started thousands of years ago, with some of the first celebrations taking place in Catholic Europe.

Fathers were honoured in Catholic cultures on St. Joseph's Day (March 19) in the Middle Ages. As St. Joseph was considered to be Jesus' earthly father, he became the role model for fatherly virtues and his feast day became connected with the celebration of fathers.

Even before that, the Romans in ancient times had observed Parentalia, a festival in February to pay homage to dead parents and ancestors. Though not particularly focused on fathers, it indicates the ancient tradition of designating a time to pay respects to parental figures.

These historical precedents indicate that although the contemporary commercial Father's Day is relatively recent UK history, the honouring of fathers is a very old historical tradition among societies.

When Did Father's Day Begin In the UK?

If you've asked yourself "when did Father's Day begin in UK?" then you are not on your own. In the US, the beginnings are well recorded, while the actual introduction of Father's Day to UK society is a bit clouded.

Father's Day did not really take off in the UK until after the Second World War. The American custom slowly spread across the Atlantic, helped no doubt by American GIs based in Britain during and immediately following the war. By the 1950s and 1960s, the festival had started to take hold in British culture, although it was not yet as popularly celebrated as Mother's Day (which has its own UK tradition, being linked in with Mothering Sunday).

When did Father's Day become a standard annual feature of the UK calendar? Only in the late 20th century was it unofficially settled on the third Sunday in June, adhering to the American rather than the ancient Catholic date of March 19th.

This comparatively late uptake accounts for the fact that the older generations of British fathers may not have been so familiar with the custom when they were younger. Nowadays, though, Father's Day is well and truly a part of our cultural calendar, with an estimated £700 million being spent on Father's Day presents in the UK each year.

Father's Day Traditions in the UK

Father's Day customs in the UK have developed throughout the decades, mixing American tradition with good, old-fashioned British flair. Though we lack the same richness of tradition as Mothering Sunday, we've forged our own.

The conventional British Father's Day typically involves:

• Breakfast in bed (often the first cooking efforts of young children)
• Homemade cards featuring drawings of dad with big heads
• The gifting of stereotypically "dad" things such as socks, ties, and tools
• A Sunday roast or barbecue if weather permits, often a family meal
• Recreational activities such as golfing, fishing, or a pub outing
• Sharing sport together, if Father's Day overlaps with summer sports events

Over the past few years, there has been a movement away from the stereotypical "dad" gift and toward experience gifts and personalised gifts. The majority of families now like to spend quality time together, share a special meal, or give personalised gifts according to dad's particular interests instead of stereotypical gifts.

This change reflects a changing attitude towards fatherhood in British society, with a more enlightened sense of the diverse roles of fathers expanding beyond traditional stereotypes.

Father's Day Dates and Celebrations Across the Globe

Though we observe Father's Day on the third Sunday in June, the day itself differs widely across the globe based on local cultural traditions and historical origins.

In Spain, Italy, and Portugal, Father's Day is celebrated on March 19th, St. Joseph's Day, in accordance with Catholic tradition. In Germany, Father's Day (Vatertag) is celebrated on Ascension Day, a national holiday 40 days after Easter. The German tradition is for men to go on a hike together with beer wagons -- a bit different from our British breakfast in bed! Australia, New Zealand, and most Pacific Island nations observe Father's Day on the first Sunday in September, while in Thailand it is 5 December, the birthday of the former King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who was revered as the father of the nation. These different dates and traditions serve to remind us that though the impulse to honour fathers is universal, its expression is culturally determined. That we favour the American date over the old Catholic one speaks to our specific cultural history and to contemporary influences on our traditions.

Make Father's Day Memorable

Whether your father is a traditionalist who likes the classics or a man of quite unusual tastes, the best present is one that communicates thoughtfulness and gratitude.

At Regency Hampers, we're all about creating special and shared moments of luxury. Our beautifully presented Father's Day hampers bring together the finest treats with that little extra personal touch that makes an occasion all the more memorable. From top whiskies and artisan cheeses through to gourmet chocolate and premium coffee, our hampers will impress every kind of dad. You can select from our beautifully designed offerings or design your own hamper, tailoring it to your father's tastes with precision. It's a sophisticated twist on the classic Father's Day gift option and one that provides a moment of mutual enjoyment instead of another to clutter the drawer.

Wherever you choose to celebrate, an understanding of the origins and traditions of Father's Day can enhance your celebrations. For, behind the gifts that are lavished on Father's Day, it is really a day for acknowledging the constructive contribution that fathers make to us and to society, a tradition that, although comparatively recently imported to British shores, links us into a rich heritage of celebrating paternal relationships.

FAQs

Why was Father's Day created in the UK?

Father's Day was not created in the UK but was taken from American culture. It became more popular in Britain following World War II, maybe because of the American servicemen based here. In contrast to our Mothering Sunday with its ancient origins, Father's Day slowly made its way into British culture during the 1950s and 1960s and became a standard event on the third Sunday of June.

It was practiced as a means of remembering fatherly connections, although the business end evolved alongside the sentimental.

What is the real history of Father's Day?

The most commonly accepted origin of Father's Day today is traced to Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington. In 1909, Dodd, raised by her bachelor father after her mother's death, was listening to a Mother's Day sermon when she felt the urge to establish a similar day for fathers. The initial official celebration was conducted on June 19, 1910, in Spokane. It took several decades and backing from commercial entities, however, before the celebration gained widespread acceptance and, ultimately, crossed the Atlantic to British shores.

Is Father's Day a pagan holiday?

Father's Day is not pagan. In contrast to certain pre-Christian roots of holidays, contemporary Father's Day has no relation whatsoever to pagan customs. It has its roots squarely in early 20th century America in Sonora Smart Dodd's campaign to recognise fathers. However, the idea of expressing respect for father figures has antecedents in the history of other cultures, such as the Catholic practice of honouring fathers on St. Joseph's Day (March 19) since the Middle Ages, and the ancient Roman festival of Parentalia in honour of ancestors and parents.

Why do the US and the UK celebrate Father's Day differently?

Father's Day is the same in both the UK and US---the third Sunday in June. The UK borrowed the American custom instead of instituting its own unique celebration. This is different from Mother's Day, when the UK celebrates Mothering Sunday (fourth Sunday of Lent), from our own ancient tradition, and Americans keep Mother's Day in May. When Father's Day arrived across the Atlantic, we simply retained the American timing rather than introducing a special British date.