2027 Father's Day

Father's Day in the United States falls on the third Sunday of June. The idea is credited to Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington, who organised the first celebration in 1910 in honour of her father, a Civil War veteran who raised six children alone; it was recognised by presidential proclamation in 1966 and made a permanent national observance in 1972. Families mark it with cards, gifts such as tools, gadgets or ties, and time together, often over a backyard barbecue, a round of golf or a meal out. It is not a public holiday, since it always falls on a Sunday, but restaurants are packed for brunch and dinner, so reservations help. Many other countries, including the UK, Canada and Japan, celebrate on the same day, while Korea's Parents' Day is May 8 and Australia's Father's Day is in September. This countdown ticks to midnight Eastern Time in New York at the start of Father's Day.