To honor fathers around the world, Google is featuring a Father’s Day Doodle on its homepage today. The Doodle, which replaces the search engine’s official logo, is a rectangular bloc modeled like a fabric work-shirt name badge. Google is written in blue, and the “L” is replaced with a tan polka-dot tie.
When Google users scroll over the Doodle, the message “Happy Father’s Day” appears. When the Doodle is clicked, multiple websites detailing the history of Father’s Day appear.
Sixty-three countries around the world celebrate fathers on the third Sunday in June. The U.S. officially began to honor fathers on the third Sunday in 1966, when President Lyndon B. Johnson officially designated the day.
A petition began to have an official day to honor fathers in 1908. Grace Golden Clayton wanted to mark the deaths of 210 fathers in a mining disaster in Monogah, West Virginia. She chose the third Sunday in June because it was the closest to the birthday of her recently deceased father.
Departing from the U.S. Father’s Day traditions, Germany honors fathers on Ascension Day, 40 days after Easter. The day tends to honor all men instead of just fathers. Meanwhile, in Thailand, Father’s Day is celebrated on December 5, on the birthday of King Bhumibol. In Taiwan, fathers are honored on August 8, as the Chinese word for eight is ba, which sounds similar to the Chinese word for father.
Written by: Karen Benardello
