9 Things You Didn’t Know About Father’s Day
Updated: Jun. 05, 2024
This Father's Day, surprise Dad by spending some quality time chatting and sharing these fun Father's Day facts.
It’s always played second fiddle
From its inception, Father’s Day has played second fiddle to Mother’s Day. Spokane, Wash., resident Sonora Dodd conceived of the holiday in the early 1900s, but the event was made official by President Richard Nixon in 1972, 58 years after its maternal equivalent.
Google has always loved it
Google has showcased Father’s Day-themed doodles on its main page since 2000. Three starred Dad sleeping in a hammock; four featured ties.
Put a smile on dad’s face with these hilarious Father’s Day quotes.
Fathers in Canada
8.6 million. Thats the total number of fathers in Canada (including biological, adoptive and step fathers), according to Statistics Canada.
Check out these Father’s Day movies that are perfect for a double feature.
He just wants to spend time with you
In 1976, one in 70 fathers were stay-at-home parents, according to Statistics Canada. In 2015, that number rose to one in 10.
You’ll want to read these heartwarming stories of dads going above and beyond for their kids.
Not everyone wants to make dad proud
Sir John A. Macdonald may have fathered Canada, but his relationship with his own son, Hugh John, wasn’t particularly rosy. Knowing that his father frowned upon military life and wanted him to pursue law, H.J. made sure to enlist in every skirmish and rebellion to strike the young Dominion.
Look back at these rare photos of Queen Elizabeth and her father.
Leave it to beaver
Canada’s national symbol, the beaver, is one of the few male creatures in the animal kingdom that sticks around after mating to help raise the kids. In rare cases, biologists have even spotted male beavers taking on the role of a single dad.
These bad dad jokes from Twitter will make you LOL.
Germany celebrates their own way
Männertag, celebrated 40 days after Easter, is Germany’s twist on Father’s Day. Instead of breakfast in bed, in some parts of the country, men pile wagons high with beer and set off on long, boozy jaunts through town.
Read about what one woman discovered when she set out to research her father’s family tree.
We buy more cards for mom
In the United States last year, Hallmark sold 141 million cards for Mother’s Day but only 93 million for Father’s Day. That’s a gap roughly the weight of six blue whales.
If you’re stumped on how to show dad that you care, check out our Father’s Day gift guide to the best fragrances.
Women spend more than men
Canadian women are more likely than their male counterparts to buy a gift for Father’s Day, but men are more likely to buy something expensive. The most generous of all are fellows in the Atlantic provinces, who spend an average of $106.
Next, check out these 20 heartwarming Father’s Day quotes.
