Today (Sunday, 15 June) is Father’s Day in many countries (including the UK, USA, Canada and many others.  Interestingly (to me, anyway!) down here in Australia (and New Zealand) Father’s Day is celebrated later in the year on the first Sunday of September.

According to Wikipedia, the first modern Father’s Day celebration was on  July 5, 1908 in Fairmont West Virginia.  The origins are unclear.  It’s variously suggested that the first Father’s Day was a church service memorial for local men who died in a mine accident or as a natural complement to Mother’s Day.

Of course, many cultures have had festivals or holidays to celebrate the Masculine Spirit.  One interesting one is in Germany where they have Mannertag (or “Men’s Day”) where guys get together and do all sorts of blokey things like pulling wagons around, drinking beer and eating sausage.  Most excellent dude!

In the USA, Father’s Day was officially recognized as a holiday (celebrated on the third Sunday in June) in 1972.

IBISWorld estimates that Americans will spend US$11 billion on Father’s Day gifts in 2008.  This is about US$7 billion less than spending for Mother’s Day.

For me, Father’s Day is always a little sad.  My own father passed away about 9 years ago.  Regardless of that, a big “Thank You” and “Happy Father’s Day” to Dads everywhere!