Father's Day poster. | Courtesy

South Sudanese join the world to celebrate Father’s Day on Sunday June 18, as many took to social media to show appreciation and gratitude for the contribution of their fathers and father figures in their lives.

Father’s Day is a holiday to recognize one’s father, as well as paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in society.

– Origin –

The day to honor fatherhood comes about as a result of different events in different countries and people.

In about 70 countries, including South Sudan, the day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June and this year’s Father’s Day is celebrated on June 18.

The honoring the fatherhood on June 18, was founded in Washington, United States by Sonora Smart Dodd in 1910.

In Portugal, Italy and Spain, as well as some Catholic countries in Europe, Father’s Day is celebrated on March 19, when the Catholic Church celebrates Saint Joseph’s Day.

In Taiwan, Father’s Day is celebrated on August 8, as the pronunciation of the date in their dialect is similar to the word daddy.

In India, Sikhs celebrate Father’s Day on 29 December – the birthday of the philosopher, warrior and poet Guru Gobind Singh.

In some Islamic countries, it is set following the months of the Islamic calendar.

It is a national holiday in many of the above countries where it is sometimes complements other events to parents or family members as in South Korea and the United States.

But although Father’s Day falls on the weekend, it is a working day in South Sudan and most businesses follow regular opening hours.