In South Africa, Father’s Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June. It is a day to honour and appreciate our fathers, grandfathers, and stepfathers.
Traditionally, we celebrate by giving cards and gifts such as aftershave, socks, and handmade cardboard ties. If you’re curious about the history of Father’s Day and how it is celebrated in other countries, keep reading to find out more.
Your Father’s Day History Lesson
Father’s Day started in the United States and is a relatively recent celebration. The exact origin is unknown, but most believe it began when Sonora Dodd of Washington heard a sermon about Mother’s Day and wondered why there wasn’t a special day dedicated to fathers. Her thoughts were appropriate, so she started campaigning for an official Father’s Day. This campaign happened in 1910, but it was only officially recognised by the US president in 1966. The day spread to the rest of the world, and we now celebrate it almost everywhere.
How it is celebrated in other countries
- In Germany,
Father’s Day celebrations include groups of men filling a wagon with wine, beer and meat and heading into the woods for a day of drunken merriment. - In China,
Father’s Day used to be celebrated on the 8th of August every year. But they have since adopted the Western custom of using the third Sunday of June. In Brazil, it is celebrated on the second Sunday of August and is in celebration of Mary’s father, St. Joachim. - In Russia,
Father’s Day has its roots in the military. It is celebrated on 23 February, “ Defender of the Fatherland Day.” On this day, women buy gifts for the men in their lives. - In France,
Companies that sold lighters adopted the idea of Father’s Day. It was marketed as a day to buy a lighter for your father, who smoked. Nowadays, a lighter is given as a gift on the day alongside other things. - In Thailand,
They celebrate their fathers on the king’s birthday. The King gives a speech, and women and children give their fathers the Canna flower, which is thought to be masculine.
Get Gap Cover For the Dad in Your Life
No matter how we celebrate it and how Father’s Day history differs in every country, one thing holds true: most of us deeply care for the dads in our lives. We don’t want anything bad to happen to them, and we certainly don’t want them inundated with medical bills as they get older.
At TRA, we offer gap cover to help you with that. Despite having medical aid, there’s often a shortfall that results in unexpected bills in your inbox. Our gap cover products help to cover these bills and prevent your dad from getting into financial trouble as a result of medical bills.
If you have any more queries or questions about TRA Gap Cover, reach out to our helpful specialists here.
