Father’s Day 2025: Date, History, Origin, Significance and Everything You Should Know

Know why June 15 is more than just another Sunday this year

Pune, June 13, 2025 – Father’s Day 2025 will be celebrated on Sunday, June 15, a date that honours fathers and father figures worldwide. Though it might seem like a modern celebration, the origin of Father’s Day dates back to the early 20th-century United States, rooted in remembrance, gratitude, and the quiet strength of paternal love.

When is Father’s Day 2025 and Why Does It Change Every Year?

Father’s Day does not have a fixed calendar date. Instead, it is observed on the third Sunday of June in many countries, including India, the US, and the UK. In 2025, that date is June 15. The selection of this Sunday was made to reflect the popularity of Mother’s Day, celebrated in May, rather than being tied to a specific historical event.

The Real Story Behind Father’s Day

The first known Father’s Day service was held in West Virginia in 1908, after a deadly coal mine explosion killed 361 men—most of them fathers. A local church conducted a memorial service, but it didn’t gain traction.

The movement to formally establish Father’s Day is credited to Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington. Deeply moved by Mother’s Day, Dodd wanted to honour her own father, William Jackson Smart, a Civil War veteran who raised six children alone after his wife’s death. Though she initially proposed June 5, his birthday, the first Father’s Day was celebrated on June 19, 1910 due to logistical delays.

While cards, gifts, and commercial elements followed later, the origins of the day are deeply rooted in honouring fatherhood’s emotional and moral responsibility, particularly when fulfilled against the odds.

Why Father’s Day Matters Today

In today’s fast-paced world, where success is often measured by career milestones, Father’s Day offers a rare pause to reflect on the emotional backbone provided by father figures. It reminds us that fathers are not only providers or disciplinarians but also caregivers, mentors, listeners, and emotional anchors.

The day is not limited to biological fathers. It is equally meant to appreciate stepfathers, grandfathers, elder brothers, uncles, mentors, and even mothers who have taken on a dual role.

It is a celebration of the quiet, consistent presence that helps shape lives—from teaching life skills to offering a steady shoulder through turbulent times.

Reflections and Emotions on Father’s Day

For many, the day brings up mixed emotions—particularly for those who’ve lost their fathers, have strained relationships, or were raised by someone who wasn’t their biological parent. It becomes a time to reflect, forgive, heal, or simply remember.

And for those who’ve had guiding figures beyond traditional family roles, Father’s Day is a moment of inclusive gratitude—for mentors, neighbours, teachers, and protectors.

Sometimes, the most cherished celebrations come in the form of small gestures—a shared memory, a family meal, or watching an old film together. These moments, though ordinary, become extraordinary memories.