Father's Day 2024, today one of the most heartfelt anniversaries among Italians and beyond. In this 19 March, like every year on the day of San Giuseppe, the figure of the father and fatherhood in general are celebrated. A cult, whose origins are lost in the mists of time, sinking its roots back to the 5th century, when the figure of the Carpenter had his day in the month of July among the Coptic Christians. From there here is a tradition that still continues today, to the joy of fathers all over the world.
Father's Day, the story of a cult with many dates
Father's Day, March 19th every year, yes, but not only. Yes, because if it is true that the cult of Saint Joseph the carpenter, father of Jesus and husband of Mary, has a history that refers to medieval tradition, it is equally true that his celebration falls in various dates. And of course with different ones differentiations in its tradition.
Father's Day, the first time in June over a century ago
Saint Joseph, protector of all fathers of families and symbol of work, therefore. And so, at least in the Catholic world, Father's Day could only fall on March 19th, when starting from 1871, the Church of Pope Leo XIII gives the official proclamation. But the first documented holiday seems to be, in the United States, on the day of July 5th, 1908. According to some sources, she was a certain lady Sonora Smart Dodd to make this party official on the analogy of the one already dedicated to the mother. So, here it is in the month of June 1909, on Mrs. Dodd's father's birthday, the first Father's Day celebrated in Spokane.
From March to June: but the gift is always welcome
A date that varies from country to country. If it is true, in fact, that in the Catholic area Father's Day is always celebrated on March 19th, in the Anglo-Saxon world and on the American continent this falls in third Sunday of June. Furthermore, in other countries the celebration follows local traditions, in some cases associated with nationalistic conceptions. Fathers change, of course, and dates change, of course. What remains unchanged, at least in the majority of countries, is the gift that children, and not only, traditionally do to their father.
Father's Day in Italy: when schools and offices closed for Saint Joseph
Until the 1976, on the occasion of St. Joseph's Day, March 19th was considered in Italy festive also for civil purposes. Therefore, with the closure of schools and public offices. Then, the suppression, with the law of 1977. Saint Joseph, symbol of fathers, but also of hospitality. And therefore, in many local popular traditions, this day is also dedicated to poor and the most unfortunate. Looking at the calendar, then, as the spring equinox approaches, it is not unusual that in some Italian areas this festival coincides with the end of winter, celebrated in this way with various rites of passage to the beautiful season.
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