{"id":77255,"date":"2022-03-18T19:18:06","date_gmt":"2022-03-18T18:18:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ihdemu.com\/?p=77255"},"modified":"2026-05-22T13:32:22","modified_gmt":"2026-05-22T11:32:22","slug":"happy-fathers-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ihdemu.com\/en\/happy-fathers-day\/","title":{"rendered":"\ud83c\udf89 Happy Father\u2019s Day! A tribute that goes beyond just a date"},"content":{"rendered":"

Even though there\u2019s a special day to celebrate it, the truth is we have\u00a0365 chances every year<\/strong>\u00a0to tell our father (or the person who\u2019s played that role in our lives) how important they are. Whether it\u2019s a quick \u201cthank you\u201d, a surprise hug or an unexpected call,\u00a0any moment is the right time to show love and appreciation<\/strong>. \ud83d\udc99<\/p>\n

But\u2026 have you ever wondered where this celebration comes from? Because it\u2019s not just another date on the calendar or an excuse to buy a tie. Father\u2019s Day has a story full of love, initiative\u2026 and even a touch of marketing!<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcdc The origin of Father\u2019s Day: it all started with a woman<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The official story takes us to\u00a0the United States<\/strong>, specifically to the year\u00a01909<\/strong>. There lived a woman named\u00a0Sonora Smart Dodd<\/strong>, who wanted to honour her father, a war veteran who\u00a0raised his six children alone<\/strong>\u00a0after his wife passed away.<\/p>\n

Inspired by her father\u2019s bravery and dedication, Sonora thought,\u00a0\u201cIf there\u2019s a Mother\u2019s Day, why not celebrate fathers too?\u201d<\/em>\u00a0She suggested celebrating on\u00a019th June<\/strong>, her father\u2019s birthday. And so, in 1910, the first Father\u2019s Day was held in Spokane, Washington.<\/p>\n

Did you know…?<\/strong>\u00a0Although it wasn\u2019t as successful as Mother\u2019s Day at first, it slowly gained popularity thanks to the support of churches, associations, and\u2014of course\u2014commercial brands<\/strong>, who saw a golden opportunity to promote gift giving.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\ude4f And in Catholic countries? Enter Saint Joseph<\/strong><\/h2>\n

In many\u00a0Catholic countries<\/strong>\u00a0like\u00a0Spain, Italy or Portugal<\/strong>, the date doesn\u2019t match the American one. In these places, Father\u2019s Day is celebrated on\u00a019th March<\/strong>, the day of\u00a0Saint Joseph<\/strong>, Jesus\u2019s \u201cadoptive\u201d father.<\/p>\n

Saint Joseph is seen as a role model: a humble, hardworking and protective father. That\u2019s why in these countries, the father figure is associated with values like responsibility, silent affection and constant dedication. Even if he\u2019s not the main character in many stories,\u00a0his role is essential<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udfeb And what about Spain? It all began in a classroom<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The story of Father\u2019s Day in Spain is sweet and very \u201cmade in Spain\u201d. It all started in\u00a01948<\/strong>, when a schoolteacher from Madrid named\u00a0Manuela Vicente Ferrero<\/strong>\u00a0(also known as \u201cNely\u201d) decided to organise a special day for her students to honour their fathers\u2014just like they did for their mothers.<\/p>\n

She chose\u00a019th March<\/strong>, Saint Joseph\u2019s Day, because of its symbolic meaning. After publishing her idea in a local newspaper… surprise! It was a hit. So much so that\u00a0Jos\u00e9 Fern\u00e1ndez Rodr\u00edguez<\/strong>, the owner of the famous\u00a0Galer\u00edas Preciados<\/strong>\u00a0department stores, supported the idea with an advertising campaign.<\/p>\n

The result?<\/strong>\u00a0Father\u2019s Day quickly spread across Spain and became a special date in both\u00a0family life and the shopping calendar<\/strong>. \ud83c\udf81<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udf0d Father\u2019s Day around the world: fun facts<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Each country celebrates in its own unique way, and here are some fun facts that might surprise you:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • In\u00a0Thailand<\/strong>, Father\u2019s Day is on\u00a05th December<\/strong>, the birthday of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. People usually give\u00a0canna flowers<\/strong>, a symbol of masculinity.<\/li>\n
  • In\u00a0Germany<\/strong>, it\u2019s called\u00a0Vatertag<\/em>\u00a0or \u201cMen\u2019s Day\u201d, and it\u2019s celebrated on\u00a0Ascension Day<\/strong>\u00a0(40 days after Easter). It\u2019s traditional for groups of men to go on\u00a0outdoor beer wagon trips<\/strong>\u2014yes, really!<\/li>\n
  • In\u00a0South Korea<\/strong>, there\u2019s no Father\u2019s Day as such. Instead, they celebrate\u00a0Parents\u2019 Day<\/strong>\u00a0(Eobeoi Nal<\/em>) on\u00a08th May<\/strong>, honouring both parents with flowers, letters, and gifts.<\/li>\n
  • In\u00a0Russia<\/strong>, Father\u2019s Day overlaps with\u00a0Defender of the Fatherland Day<\/strong>\u00a0(23rd February), a tribute to men, especially those who served in the military.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    As you can see, there\u2019s\u00a0no single way to celebrate fathers<\/strong>, but there is one thing they all have in common:\u00a0gratitude, love and respect<\/strong>!<\/p>\n

    \ud83c\udf88 And you? How do you celebrate it?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    Every family has its own traditions. Some prepare special meals, others give personalised gifts, and some just spend\u00a0quality time together<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    But beyond presents or Instagram posts, the\u00a0real gift is a heartfelt moment<\/strong>\u00a0to talk, share funny memories, or simply say: \u201cthanks for being there.\u201d<\/p>\n

    If you\u2019re far from your family\u2014maybe studying abroad in Spain\u2014a\u00a0video call might be the perfect gift<\/strong>. Or even better: a handwritten letter, which often says more than a thousand digital words.<\/p>\n

    \ud83c\udfa5 Want to do something original this year?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    Here are some\u00a0budget-friendly ideas<\/strong>\u00a0to celebrate Father\u2019s Day creatively (great for students!):<\/p>\n

      \n
    • \ud83c\udfac\u00a0Make a short video<\/strong>\u00a0sharing your favourite memories or thanking him for everything he\u2019s done.<\/li>\n
    • \ud83c\udf7d\ufe0f\u00a0Cook his favourite dish<\/strong>\u00a0(if you\u2019re home) or send him a\u00a0Spanish recipe<\/strong>\u00a0to try if you\u2019re abroad.<\/li>\n
    • \ud83d\udcf1\u00a0Record a fun TikTok together<\/strong>\u00a0if he\u2019s into it\u2014no one\u2019s ever too old for that!<\/li>\n
    • \ud83d\udc8c\u00a0Write him a letter in Spanish<\/strong>\u00a0if he\u2019s learning with you. It\u2019s a fun way to practise the language together!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      \ud83c\udf8a Happy Father\u2019s Day to dads around the world!<\/strong><\/h2>\n

      Whatever their accent, wherever they live, whether they wear a moustache or not, whether they love football or chess…\u00a0today we celebrate all those who\u2019ve been there for us through thick and thin<\/strong>. \ud83d\udcaa<\/p>\n

      Because being a father isn\u2019t always easy, but it\u2019s one of the most beautiful jobs in the world. So, if you\u2019re lucky enough to have one close,\u00a0make the most of it<\/strong>! And if your father figure is someone else (a mum, uncle, grandfather, friend…), today is also\u00a0their day<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

      Happy Father\u2019s Day!<\/strong>
      \nThanks for guiding us, supporting us, and being a role model. And if you\u2019re learning Spanish, now you know about one of its most important cultural celebrations! \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      Why Father\u2019s Day in Spain is celebrated on 19 March, what its origin is, its history and how Spanish families celebrate it<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":25803,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"default","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[647],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-77255","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-culture"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ihdemu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77255","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ihdemu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ihdemu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ihdemu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ihdemu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=77255"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/ihdemu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77255\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":114284,"href":"https:\/\/ihdemu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77255\/revisions\/114284"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ihdemu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/25803"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ihdemu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=77255"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ihdemu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=77255"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ihdemu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=77255"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}