Fathers Day is celebrated worldwide on various days throughout the year although a large percentage, 56 countries have settled on the third Sunday in June.

Both the UK and the United States have chosen this date, which this year falls on June 20^th.

Other countries that celebrate Fathers day on this date are China, Switzerland and Turkey. In some countries it is an official holiday whilst in others like the UK there is no official holiday

It is generally accepted that the first time there was any reference to Fathers day was in 1910 when Sonora Smart Dodd who lived in Spokane, Washington in response to celebrating Mothers day, felt that she wanted to celebrate her father’s life who was a civil war veteran who brought up his family alone when his wife died giving birth to their sixth child.

Over the years there was growing support for Fathers day but it was not until 1972 that President Richard Nixon made it an official holiday.

Traditions vary round the world but it is usually celebrated by the giving of cards and presents and because this year the football world cup is being played at the same time, a lot of fathers will be receiving new large screen TVs as presents!

Mums will probably be involved this year as well to ensure there is a good supply of beer and crisps on hand to keep dad supplied while watching the matches.

Other presents that are normally well received are cameras or camcorders, games consoles indeed most things electrical are well received. If cash is a problem then there are always CDs, DVDs and books.

When I was growing up in the 1960s it was also quite usual for the kids to offer to wash the car to save dad a job, but nowadays this doesn’t happen as much. Whether this is because it is now usual for most people to use automatic car washes or because kids have become lazier I am not sure!

The important thing is to show appreciation of your father. Whether you call him father, dad, pop or something else you can be sure that if you take the time and trouble to speak to him on the phone, or send him a card he will appreciate it and get a warm glow from your appreciation. (He will also hopefully be easier to con next time you need a favour from him!)

Happy Fathers Day to all the Dads, Fathers, Pops, and Papas of the world!