Grandparents Day

Grandparents' Day History

Grandparents Day honors the contributions that grandparents make to families and society. This day seeks to show appreciation and respect towards our grandparents. It is an opportunity for families to come together and honor the older generation who have played vital roles in their lives. The observance is celebrated in many countries around the world, and it has been recognized in America since 1978.

The idea for Grandparents Day was conceived by Marian McQuade in West Virginia. She wanted to encourage grandchildren to recognize the important contributions that their grandparents make and to appreciate their heritage. In 1978, President Jimmy Carter signed a proclamation designating the first Sunday after Labor Day as National Grandparents Day. The observance is an opportunity for families to come together, share their love, and create lasting memories.

In America, Grandparents Day is typically observed by spending time with family, exchanging gifts or cards, and participating in special events. Grandparents often receive special treatment on this day, such as being taken out to eat or given sentimental gifts. Some communities hold special events to celebrate the observance, such as parades or picnics. Grandparents Day is celebrated on the first Sunday following Labor Day in the United States.

Grandparents Day facts & quotes

• Today, grandparents continue serving as quiet heroes in every corner of our country. From reading bedtime stories to their grandchildren to volunteering in their communities to acting as primary caregivers, they work hard each and every day while showing love and kindness to their families and those around them. Let us continue to show them the same, and let us forever honor their tremendous efforts to nurture, guide, and drive us in all we do. - President Barack Obama, Presidential Proclamation, September 11, 2015
• The names for grandparents vary greatly among different cultures, anything from Nana, Grandpa, Grandma, to Abuela/Abuelo in Spanish, Nonna/Nonno in Italian, Oma/Opa in German, and Babushka/Dedushka in Russian.
• A 19-year long study in Berlin found that grandparents who provide occasional childcare live longer than those who do not.
• In 2004, the National Grandparents Day Council named A Song for Grandma and Grandpa by Johnny Prill as the official song of National Grandparents Day. - U.S. Census Bureau, 2012 American Community Survey, Table B24124
• The bill to create Grandparents Day was introduced to the U.S. congress in February of 1977. In 1978, the United States Congress passed legislation to proclaim the first Sunday following Labor Day as the United States National Grandparents Day.
• There were about 80 million grandparents in the United States and they represented 37% of the head of the households in 2023.

In the News and Trending in the US for Grandparents Day

Top things to do in the US for Grandparents Day

• Adopt-a-grandparent. By 2030, it is expected that 5.3 million elderly individuals will be living in nursing homes. Of these, approximately 60% of nursing home residents do not receive visitors. Nursing homes often have volunteer programs that match volunteers to residents. Volunteer in a local nursing home to adopt-a-grandparent. Spend the time making arts and crafts, reading or just talking.
• Take your grandparents out for a dinner or Broadway Show.
• Give a personal gift for your Grandparents to show how much you appreciate them. Our picks: Scrapbooks of family photos; CD with all of their favorite songs; Embroidered scarves or sweater.
• Have your grandparents tell you a story about what the world was like for them when they were young. Their valuable experiences may be timeless and very helpful today.
• Watch movies related to the concepts of the fountain of youth and time travel with your grandparents. Here are some recommendations:
  1) 17 again (2009)
  2) Cocoon (1985)
  3) Tuck Everlasting (2002)
  4) Age of Adaline (2015)
  5) The Time Traveler’s Wife (2003)
  6) The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)