Father’s Day is an international tradition that Americans of the United States celebrate on the third Sunday in June.
Many of us have stepfathers which can be an equally beautiful family relationship. Those of us who have lost fathers know that life isn’t always a fairy tale, but can still carry father’s love inside of ourselves.
As a father myself, I can tell you that we don’t need gifts. We cherish things our children make with their own hands, but the greatest treasure of all is spending time together. Time is really the only thing we have in life.
Find things to do around Father’s Day on our June calendar.
Father’s Day Around the World
People around the world do similar things, with local variations because we are all human. Most of the world celebrates Father’s Day on the third Sunday in June, but not everyone.
Predominantly Catholic countries celebrate Saint Joseph’s Day on March 19, in honor of the father of Jesus. Through the example of Joseph, we are taught to honor our fathers and our stepfathers. Bolivia, Honduras, Italy, Portugal, and Spain celebrate Father’s Day this way.
- El Salvador and Guatemala celebrate on June 17.
- Nicaragua celebrates on June 23.
- Uruguay celebrates on the second Sunday in July.
- Dominican Republic celebrates on the last Sunday in July.
- Brazil celebrates on the second Sunday in August.
Una Salsa Por El Día del Padre
This is how we dance in Puerto Rico. The song is “Le Dicen Papá” (They call me Papa) which was an El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico hit.
It’s a cute song. The singer basically says that one of his children looks like a friend, one looks like a neighbor, and another looks like someone else, but I’m the only one they call Papa. Here’s to stepfathers and extended families which are very common in the Latin world.
This is for You Dad
New York Latin Culture Magazine is published partly in honor of my own father, an immigrant who came to the United States as a young man with little English, worked hard, got an education, and built himself into a successful professional, while raising a family.
Thank you Dad for showing me the world outside of the United States. You taught me to flow with people of all backgrounds. You showed me that most of the world is poor, but that doesn’t make anyone better or worse. You taught me that all religions try to explain the same mystery, and that our different names for God don’t matter. You showed me by example to work hard. The things you shared seemed so insignificant then, but are so important now.
Because of you, I run with everyone. New York Latin Culture Magazine is the proof of that. Against the odds, you made it in America. With what you gave me, I made it in New York City, and now run around the world. I use your lessons to help other people of color like you and that has enriched my life infinitely.
Even though you’re gone, you’re always with me. I am your son!
Love you Dad.
“Kíko” Keith Widyolar