Happy Father’s Day!!! (Feliz Dia dos Pais!!!)

FATHER’S DAY in the USA and UK

Father's Day in USA (Dia dos Pais nos EUA)

Father's Day in USA is celebrated with great enthusiasm and lot of fanfare on third Sunday of June. Observing the day, people reflect on the invaluable role played by fathers in building the character of children and in the development of the nation. On Father's Day people honor their father and express gratitude for his love and affection. As a Father's Day tradition, people in US also pay tribute to grandfather, stepfather, foster father, uncle or any other men who are like father.

History of Father's Day in USA
Father's Day festival as we celebrate today traces its history to United States of America. The idea of observing a day in honor of father was conceptualized by Ms Sonora Smart Dodd, a loving daughter from Spokane. It so happened that Sonora attended a Mother's Day Sermon in 1909 and she was struck with the noble idea that society must observe a day to honor the important contribution made by father in the raising of children. Encouraged by the love of her father, William Smart, a civil war veteran who single-handedly raised her along with her five siblings after the death of her mother, Sonora worked hard to make her concept a reality. The noble idea of celebrating Father's Day soon spread across the nation. Father's Day was recognized by a Joint Resolution of Congress in 1956. Finally, in 1972 President Nixon established Father's Day as a permanent national day of observance on the third Sunday of June.

Father’s Day Celebrations in USA
Fathers Day celebrations in USA takes place with lot of gaiety and enthusiasm. The day is observed as a time for family reunion in families, as children who are staying away from families take time out to celebrate the day with their father. Indulging daddy with breakfast in bed and gifts like cards, flowers, chocolates and neckties is the traditional way of celebrating Father Day in USA.
Massive popularity of Fathers Day Festival has led to extensive commercialization of the occasion. Critics rue that rigorous marketing campaign has spoiled the noble idea of honoring fathers on Father's Day as many observe the day by performing the mere formality of presenting gifts to dad. Others, however, see the positive side of commercialization and say that it in fact helps to raise awareness about the day and encourages children to honor their father.

Father's Day in UK (Dia dos Pais no Reino Unido)

Father's Day in UK is celebrated in much the same way as it is celebrated in US. In UK too, Father's Day festival is celebrated on the third Sunday of June and therefore the date of the festival is never fixed. People celebrate the occasion by honoring their father and expressing affection for them by presenting popular gifts like cards, flowers, chocolates and neckties. Little children often give handmade gifts to their dad.
Several clubs, schools and cultural societies in United Kingdom organize Fathers Day parties and get-togethers and provide people an opportunity to celebrate the day. Games and fun-filled add joy to such celebrations.
It may also be noted that Father's Day festival has been commercialized in England to a great extent. Days before the festival marketers launch an aggressive advertising campaign to lure people and cash in on the sentimental value of the occasion. Though critics are very much against rude commercialization many people feel that marketing of the festival helps to create awareness about the day and therefore strengthen the bond of love shared between father and a child.

Sources: (Fontes)

http://www.fathersdaycelebration.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Father's_Day