Father's Day facts make good barbecue talk and card lines. They also work as a quick history lesson for the kids. This list has 20, each with a named source. It covers how the holiday started, how much Americans spend and what dads themselves say about fatherhood.
Father's Day 2027 falls on Sunday, June 20. In the United States it is always the third Sunday in June.
Father's Day facts at a glance
| Fact | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|
| First Father's Day | June 19, 1910, Spokane, Washington | HistoryLink |
| Made permanent | 1972, by Richard Nixon | HistoryLink |
| U.S. spending in 2026 | $27.9 billion, a record | National Retail Federation |
| Average spent per person in 2026 | $226.58 | National Retail Federation |
| Fathers in the U.S. | About 72 million | U.S. Census Bureau |
| Father's Day 2027 | Sunday, June 20 | Third Sunday in June |
Facts about the history of Father's Day
1. The first Father's Day was in 1910
Spokane, Washington, held the first Father's Day on June 19, 1910. Sonora Smart Dodd came up with the idea and convinced the local ministers' alliance and YMCA to observe it (HistoryLink).
2. It honored a single dad
Sonora's father, William Jackson Smart, raised her and her five younger brothers on a ranch after her mother died in 1898. She called him a "kind and loving parent who kept us together and happy."
3. Lyndon B. Johnson set the date in 1966
President Johnson signed a proclamation naming the third Sunday in June as Father's Day.
4. Richard Nixon made it permanent in 1972
Mother's Day became national in 1914. Father's Day had to wait until 1972, when President Nixon made it permanent, according to HistoryLink.
5. It always falls on the third Sunday in June
That is why the date changes each year: June 21 in 2026 and June 20 in 2027.
Fun facts about Father's Day spending
These figures come from the National Retail Federation's 2026 survey of 7,914 consumers (NRF).
6. Spending hit a record $27.9 billion
Father's Day spending in 2026 was the highest NRF has recorded.
7. 77% of Americans celebrate
About three in four consumers planned to celebrate Father's Day in 2026.
8. The average celebrant spends $226.58
That is the planned spend per person, across gifts, cards and outings.
9. Cards are the most popular gift
60% of shoppers planned to buy a greeting card for Father's Day.
10. Clothing comes next
58% planned to buy clothing, 55% planned a special outing and 52% planned to give a gift card.
Facts about fathers and fatherhood
11. There are about 72 million fathers in the U.S.
The U.S. Census Bureau estimates about 72 million fathers nationwide (Census Bureau).
12. 29 million dads are also grandfathers
The same Census estimate counts 29 million fathers who are grandfathers too.
13. 85% of dads say parenting is central to who they are
In a 2022 Pew Research Center survey, 85% of fathers said being a parent is one of the most important parts of their identity. 24% said it is the most important (Pew Research Center).
14. Most dads enjoy it
81% of fathers find parenting enjoyable all or most of the time, Pew found.
15. Most dads find it rewarding
79% of fathers say parenting is rewarding all or most of the time.
16. Dads spend about an hour a day on childcare
In 2021, fathers with children under 18 averaged 1.02 hours per day caring for and helping their kids, according to Pew.
17. Fewer dads are the only breadwinner
Husbands were the primary or sole earner in 55% of opposite-sex marriages in 2022, down from 85% in 1972.
18. Honesty tops dads' wish list for their kids
93% of fathers said it is extremely or very important that their children grow up honest and ethical. 87% said hardworking.
How other countries celebrate Father's Day
19. Australia celebrates in September
Australians mark Father's Day on the first Sunday in September, which is spring there.
20. Thailand celebrates on December 5
Thailand's Father's Day falls on December 5, the birthday of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
How to use these Father's Day facts
Write one fact inside the card, read a few aloud at brunch or turn the list into a quick quiz for the kids. The history facts work well for a classroom lesson the week before.
For a gift with dad's name or "Est." year stitched on, browse our personalized embroidered gifts. For a companion read, see our Mother's Day facts.
Frequently asked questions
When is Father's Day 2027?
Sunday, June 20, 2027. In the U.S., Father's Day is always the third Sunday in June.
Who started Father's Day?
Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington, to honor her father, a widower who raised six children. The first Father's Day was June 19, 1910.
What is Father's Day about?
It is a day to thank fathers and father figures. Families usually give cards or gifts, share a meal or spend the day doing something dad enjoys.
When did Father's Day become official?
President Johnson proclaimed it in 1966, and President Nixon made it permanent in 1972.
What is the most popular Father's Day gift?
Greeting cards. 60% of shoppers planned to buy one in 2026, followed by clothing at 58%, according to NRF.
How many fathers are there in the U.S.?
About 72 million, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. 29 million of them are also grandfathers.
