Grandparents Day
Celebrated
in the United States and Canada
September 12, 2010
National Grandparents Day is a non-public holiday celebrated in the United States and Canada.
Following in the footsteps of Fathers Day and Mothers Day, the American government passed another bill that proposed the celebration of Grandparents Day, an effort to honor seniors and their contributions to people’s lives.
The day is celebrated the first Sunday in September after Labor Day.
History of National Grandparents Day in the United States and Canada
The origin of Grandparents Day is to be found in several locations. Many people declare that Marion McQuade was the first to propose the idea.
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In the late 1960s, she began campaigning across West Virginia to garner support for a grandparents day. On May 27, 1973, Grandparents Day was made official in West Virginia by Governor Arch Moore.
McQuade would later take her petition to a national level, introducing the idea to other U.S. senators.
Finally, in 1978, she received a call from the White House to inform her that Grandparents day would become an official holiday in September 1979.
Forget-Me-Nots….
Some people also recognize Hermine Beckett Hanna as originating the idea. Working to spread awareness of the importance of seniors to society as early 1961, Hanna was recognized by Congressman James Walsh of New York in 1990 for her work and dedication to grandparents.
Canada established Grandparents Day in 1995 through a motion introduced to the House of Commons. It should be noted that while Grandparents Day is observed on the same day by both the U.S. and Canada, Canada hasn’t made it a statutory holiday.
Grandparents are also recognized in some fashion in the United Kingdom and France.
The United States’ and Canada’s National Grandparents DayTraditions, Customs and Activities
“The key ideas behind Grandparents Day, as stated in the statute signed by President Carter in 1978, are…… to honor grandparents, to give grandparents an opportunity to show love for their children’s children, and to help children become aware of strength, information, and guidance older people can offer.”
Typical activities on this day may include chatting with a grandparent about their past experience, having a picnic or dinner, and swapping stories.
Additionally, it’s an opportunity for grandchildren to learn something new about a different generation of people.
A Celebration of Women
honors all Grandparents with our Love and Gratitude, for all the work that you do.
