Edhat Staff
Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash
By edhat staff
Happy Father’s Day edhat readers! We hope all the dads out there are able to enjoy some of their favorite activities in this COVID-19 time.
Did you know that a version of this day has been celebrated since the Middle Ages? Mostly in European Catholic countries where it was “Saint Joseph’s Day” on March 19 honoring the “father” of Jesus Christ.
Across the pond in the U.S., the day was founded by Sonora Smart Dodd, and celebrated on the third Sunday of June for the first time in 1910. Although it wasn’t until 1966 when President Lyndon B. Johnson issued the first presidential proclamation honoring fathers, designating the third Sunday in June as Father’s Day. Six years later, the day was made a permanent national holiday when President Richard Nixon signed it into law in 1972.
Several other countries throughout the world have their own modern-day celebrations of paternal figures.
In Thailand, the birthday of the king, is set as Father’s Day. December 5 is the birthday of the late king Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX). Thai people will wear yellow on this day to show respect for the late king, because yellow is the color of the day for Monday, the day King Bhumibol Adulyadej was born. Thais flood the Sanam Luang, a massive park in front of the palace, to watch the king give his annual speech, and often stay until the evening, when there is a national ceremony. Thais will light candles and show respect to the king by declaring their faith.
In Germany, Father’s Day (Vatertag) is celebrated on Ascension Day, the Thursday forty days after Easter). It is also called men’s day (Männertag) or gentlemen’s day (Herrentag). It is a tradition for groups of males to do a hiking tour with one or more smaller wagons (Bollerwagen) pulled by manpower. In the wagons are wine or beer bottles and food. According to the Federal Statistical Office of Germany, alcohol-related traffic accidents multiply by three on this day.
“These traditions are probably rooted in Christian Ascension Day’s processions to the farmlands, which has been celebrated since the 18th century. Men would be seated in a wooden cart and carried to the village’s plaza, and the mayor would award a prize to the father who had the most children, usually a big piece of ham. In the late 19th century the religious component was progressively lost, especially in urban areas such as Berlin, and groups of men organized walking excursions with beer and ham. By the 20th century, alcohol consumption had become a major part of the tradition,” according to Wikipedia.
Regardless of what country you’re in, there’s one dad who is going above and beyond to teach people a variety of skills and answer “dad questions.”
Rob Kenney, a dad in Washington State, grew up without a father and after successfully raising two children he started a YouTube channel just two months ago titled “Dad How Do I?” With over 2 million followers already, Kenney shows the internet how to shave, tie a tie, fix a running toilet, and more.
To all the dads out there, enjoy your special day!
[Source: wikipedia]
Does honoring Dad include honoring the ones who are only sperm-donors and the ones who beat or abandon their wives and kids and worse? The great majority of dads who love their kids, work hard to support them, play with them and to whom they are as dear as life itself deserve more than just honor, they get undying love as well. I had a wonderful Dad; my best friend didn’t. Her Dad made her pregnant in 8th grade. No one had a clue that he was molesting her, and nothing happened except she dropped out of school and committed suicide when she was 25.
Luvaduck, we all have lifetime experiences. Some are good and some bad. Sometimes it’s best to keep those really bad ones to themselves and not share on a public forum. It’s a sad story indeed. Anyway… Happy Father’s Day!
Stewart, perhaps you are right, but maybe acknowledging that those who have had bad experiences makes it easier for them to carry and even get past. As I said, my Dad was terrific; I don’t know what goes on first-hand long-term for kids who suffer.