Although Päts was generally considered to be a modest man, he himself or others did create some elements of cult of personality around him and he was often seen as the Father of the Nation. During his own rule, he was awarded with several state decorations. He was nominated honorary citizen of larger Estonian towns and some parishes. During the years of his presidency, the official state celebrations of the Estonian Independence Day began the day before, on Päts's birthday. Päts was also the first and only person in interwar Estonia, who had postage stamps with his picture made and circulated, starting from 1936.