Father's day 2025: When is Father's day in the United States?
Discover when the U.S. honors dads in 2025 with Father's Day, a beloved occasion that, while not a federal holiday, brings families together each June.
The month of June is known for Father's Day. However, this celebration doesn't have a fixed day on the calendar. This can cause confusion among local citizens and migrants, given that this holiday has different dates in various countries around the world.
In the United States, Father's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June. This year, the date is June 15. It's a time to honor dads with gifts, quality time, and heartfelt appreciation.
Origins of Father's Day in the United States
According to archives at the Library of Congress, Father's Day celebrations have their origins in the early 20th century. This idea was promoted by Washington-based activist Sonora Smart to honor her father, who raised his six children (including her) alone after the death of his mother. She also wished for an institutionalized day to honor fathers.
However, what finally convinced her was a sermon from a local church about Mother's Day. Therefore, she proposed an ideal date for fathers. This is why the first Father's Day was celebrated in Spokane, California, on June 19, 1910. Over the years, the idea spread to several cities across the country, giving the proposal greater momentum to establish it as a federal holiday in the United States' annual calendar.
When Father's day began to be celebrated in the United States
According to the National Archives, Father's Day in the United States began to be celebrated on the third Sunday of June in 1966. At that time, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed a presidential proclamation designating this date to honor fathers in the United States.
A father shares a joyful moment with his son in celebration of Father's Day 2025, which will be observed in the U.S. on Sunday, June 15. Photo: Freepik
Despite this, it wasn't until 1972 that President Richard Nixon made it a national holiday for the entire United States. Nixon signed a law institutionalizing the holiday in the United States' federal calendar.
