Father's Day is a celebration observed worldwide, but where did it start? Here is the story.
By Chidimma Iheanacho
The date when Father's Day is celebrated varies from country to country [Getty Images]
Father's Day is being celebrated in many countries the world over on Sunday, recognising the contribution that fathers and father figures make to the lives of families and children.
But where does it come from and when is it celebrated in different parts of the world?
When is Father's Day?
Father's Day varies from country to country. In Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States it is celebrated on the third Sunday of June.
It is also observed on the same date in Qatar, Argentina, France, Greece, India, Ireland, Mexico, Pakistan, Singapore, and Venezuela.
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In Germany, Father's Day is marked 40 days after Easter, while Australia and New Zealand celebrate it on the first day of September.
Russia continues the Soviet tradition of celebrating "Man's Day" on Defender of the Fatherland Day - February 23 - which marks the first mass draft into the Red Army.
In Thailand, Father's Day is on December 5 - the birthday of late King Bhumibol, who is considered the father of the nation.
China celebrates Father's Day on August 8 - the eighth day of the eighth month - because the word for eight in Chinese is "ba" and the term for father is "ba-ba".
Egypt, Jordan, Kosovo, Lebanon, Syria and the United Arab Emirates mark the celebration on June 21, coinciding with the summer solstice, while in Brazil fathers are honoured on the second Sunday of August, in honour of Saint Joachim, the patron saint of fathers.
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What is the story behind Father's Day?
The appreciation of fatherhood dates back to at least 1508, when history's first mention appeared in Southern European tradition.
In the US, Father's Day was not celebrated outside Catholic traditions until the 20th century.
The date finds it origins when Sonora Smart Dodd, the daughter of American Civil War veteran William Jack Smart, was 16 years old and her father became a widower and was left to raise his children alone.
According to reports, in 1909, Dodd was listening to a Mother's Day sermon when she realised the need for a day to celebrate fathers, including her own.
Inspired, Dodd drew up a petition for the first Father's Day, which she said should be celebrated on her father's birthday in early June.
Dodd convinced several local church communities to participate, but they pushed the date to late June, giving them more time to prepare.
She continued her mission, determined to elevate Father's Day to the status of a national holiday.
In 1970, the US Congress passed legislation on Father's Day's national status, and President Nixon signed the resolution into law two years later, recognising it nationally.
Today, the celebration has become an important commercial event with gift ideas and promotions showing up in shopping centres in the build-up to the day.
According to MuchNeeded, in the UK and the US, 75 percent of men are expected to celebrate the occasion this year
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US releases video it claims shows Iran removing mine from tanker
"The Americans have sent a team to board one of the two tankers that have been hit to collect more evidence.
"Also, the foreign minister of the UAE has said his country has submitted more evidence to the Security Council … [which they say shows the incident] was state-sponsored. There wasn't a mention of Iran, but Saudi Arabia and the UAE have from day one supported the American version of events," Vall said.
Both sides have also continued to beat the drums of war.
"The Americans say they are capable of waging a war and forcing Iran to stop sabotaging the waterways of the Gulf and disrupting oil supplies to the world.
"Iranians, on the other hand, are saying they have done nothing wrong, but if forced to war, they are ready to defend themselves," said Vall.
Gulf response
UAE's Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Saturday called on world powers "to secure international navigation and access to energy", a plea echoed by regional ally Saudi Arabia after the incident sent crude oil prices soaring.
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Saudi Arabia calls for 'decisive' action over tanker attacks
Iran has repeatedly warned in the past that it could block the strategic Hormuz Strait in a relatively low-tech, high-impact countermeasure to any attack by the US.
Doing so would disrupt oil tankers travelling out of the Gulf region to the Indian Ocean and global export routes.
The UAE's Sheikh Abdullah, whose country is bitterly opposed to Iranian influence in the region, called for a de-escalation of tensions.
"We remain hopeful in attaining a broader framework for cooperation with Iran," he said at a summit in Bulgaria.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia's Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih called for a "swift and decisive" response to threats against energy supplies after Thursday's "terrorist acts".
Vessels head to port
The Japanese tanker's Tokyo-based operator Kokuka confirmed on Saturday the stricken vessel was heading to port in the UAE.
"We still don't know if the tanker goes to Khor Fakkan or Fujairah as they are very close," said a spokesperson, referring to the two Emirati ports on the Gulf of Oman.
Maritime experts would then seek to transfer the highly flammable cargo to shore, according to an unnamed official quoted by Japanese state media.
The other ship, the Front Altair, has left Iran's territorial waters, multiple sources said on Saturday.
The ship is "heading toward the Fujairah-Khor Fakkan area" in the UAE, the head of ports for Iran's southern province of Hormozgan told the semi-official news agency ISNA.
The tanker "has left Iran's territorial waters", he said, adding that it was being towed and sprayed with water to cool the hull.
A spokesperson for Frontline Management, the Norwegian company which owns the ship, said "all 23 crew members of the tanker departed Iran" and flew to Dubai on Saturday.
"All crew members are well and have been well looked after while in Iran," she said.
'Ridiculous, dangerous': Iran denies US claims over Gulf tankers (3:17)