👔 Father's Day Countdown
June 21, 2026
About Father's Day
Father's Day in the United States is celebrated on the third Sunday of June, honoring fathers, father figures, and fatherhood. The holiday was inspired directly by Mother's Day. Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington is credited with proposing a Father's Day in 1909, motivated by her father William Jackson Smart, a Civil War veteran who raised six children alone after his wife died in childbirth. The first Father's Day celebration was held in Spokane on June 19, 1910. It took decades to gain traction as a national holiday — President Calvin Coolidge supported it in 1924, but it was not until 1972 that President Nixon signed it into law as a permanent national holiday, 58 years after Mother's Day was established.
Father's Day Traditions
Father's Day is one of the highest-grossing holidays for retail, with Americans spending approximately $22 billion annually. Popular gifts include tools, sporting goods, electronics, grilling equipment, clothing, and experiential gifts like tickets to sporting events or activities. Restaurants also see elevated business, though not to the same degree as Mother's Day. The day is often marked with family gatherings, outdoor activities, and cooking out. Father's Day falls in summer, giving it a distinct outdoor, casual character compared to the springtime warmth of Mother's Day.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Father's Day each year?
In the US, Father's Day is always the third Sunday of June, falling between June 15 and June 21.