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MAIN Father's Day Guide International Father's Day Traditions

Father's Day Celebrations Around The World

Most people around the world celebrate Father's Day, but the dates to honor dads are not the same everywhere. In many countries the customs and traditions may be very different than the ones you know.

The earliest record of Father's Day was found in the ruins of Babylon. A young boy named Elmesu carved a Father's Day message on a card made out of clay nearly 4,000 years ago. He wished his Babylonian father good health and a long life.

No one knows what happened to Elmesu or his father, but the tradition of having a special day honoring fathers has continued through the years in countries all around the world.

In many countries, where the Catholic Church has had a important influence on the culture, Father's Day is celebrated on St. Joseph's Day (March 19). In recent times a secular celebration, not associated with any religion, has been celebrated in many of these countries to reflect the increased diversity of the people who live there. Some families choose one of the dates to celebrate Father's Day and ignore the other day, but some lucky dads actually get to celebrate Father's Day twice every year!

When is Father's Day where you live?

Argentina - the third Sunday in June

Australia - the first Sunday in September

Belgium - St. Joseph's Day & the second Sunday in June

Brazil - the second Sunday in August

Bulgaria - June 20

Canada - the third Sunday in June

Chile - the third Sunday in June

Denmark - June 5

Finland - the second Sunday in November

France - the third Sunday in June

Germany - Ascension Thursday (40 days after Easter)

Japan - the third Sunday in June

Lithuania - the first Sunday in June

Netherlands - the third Sunday in June

New Zealand - the first Sunday in September

Norway - the second Sunday in November

Portugal - St. Joseph's Day March 19

Spain - St. Joseph's Day March 19

Sweden - the second Sunday in November

Taiwan - August 8 (in the Mandarin dialect of the Chinese language which many people speak in Taiwan, the numbers for this date – 8/8 – make the sound "ba ba"...and that is the same sound as the word father!)

Thailand - December 5 (This is the birthday of King Bhumibol Adulyadej)

United Kingdom - the third Sunday in June

United States - the third Sunday in June