Happy Father's Day: the history of the holiday and a selection of beautiful cards

History of the holiday: from local initiative to the decree of the President

For a long time in Russia there was no official day dedicated to fathers. While Mother's Day was established at the state level back in 1998, popes were left without their own personal "red calendar day.".

The history of Father’s Day in Russia began with regional initiatives. The first to honor popes at the official level began in Cherepovets, Volgograd, Kursk, Lipetsk and Ulyanovsk regions in the early 2000s. Gradually, dozens of other federal subjects joined them, where local authorities chose the date of the holiday independently.

Public discussion about the need to give the holiday a national status was conducted for many years. The point in this matter was set by the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation No. 573 of October 4, 2021, according to which Father's Day became an official holiday of the whole country.

Why October?

When choosing a date, legislators focused on several factors. Firstly, the celebration on the third Sunday of October allowed to harmoniously balance the family calendar. Mother’s Day in Russia is celebrated on the last Sunday of November, and now the two main parental holidays are one month apart.

Secondly, October is historically associated with the completion of field work, harvesting and preparing the house for winter – a period when Russia traditionally honored men as the main breadwinners, owners and defenders of the family hearth.

Father movements in modern Russia

The establishment of the holiday gave a powerful impetus to the development of men's public organizations that are engaged not only in the organization of leisure, but also in solving serious social problems. Several major movements are active in Russia today:

Union of the Fathers of Russia. All-Russian social movement uniting regional councils of fathers. Activists promote responsible fatherhood, mentoring, patriotic education of young people and help single fathers who find themselves in difficult life situations.

Advice of fathers at children's ombudsmen. These structures have been established in many regions of the country under the Children's Rights Ombudsman. Male volunteers monitor the safety of playgrounds, conduct courage lessons in schools and help to improve the areas.

Movements for single fathers. Local and federal charities provide legal and psychological assistance to men who are raising children on their own after the loss of a spouse or divorce.

Today, a special place in the activities of these organizations is occupied by the support of fathers serving in the SVO zone, as well as assistance to their families in the field.

Congratulations to your dads on the holiday

Father's Day has prepared for you a selection of beautiful soul cards.