National Grandparents Day in United States of America

When did the National Grandparents Day in United States of America start?

The first recorded date of National Grandparents Day in United States of America being celebrated on September 7 was in the year 1978.

About National Grandparents Day in United States of America Holiday

It is my pleasure to introduce National Grandparents Day in the United States of America. This day is a beautiful reminder of the importance of honoring our grandparents and recognizing their immense contribution to our lives. On this day, grandchildren celebrate their grandparents by sending greeting cards, gifting presents, and arranging gatherings; while grandparents shower their grandchildren with love, attention, and stories from their days.

National Grandparents Day is celebrated on the first Sunday of September every year in the United States. This day was established in 1978, when President Jimmy Carter designated it as National Grandparents Day by signing a Proclamation. He believed that honoring grandparents contributes to “strengthening indirect family ties that serve then and now as a source of love and wisdom.”

Grandparents are the backbone of our families; their unconditional love, guidance, wisdom, and support all factor into the success of raising our children. National Grandparents Day is an opportunity to show our appreciation for all they have done for us. Every year, on this day, let us make sure that our grandparents know how much they are loved and valued.

History and Origin of National Grandparents’ Day in United States of America

National Grandparents’ Day in United States of America is celebrated each year on the first Sunday after Labor Day. The holiday was created to honor and recognize the contribution of grandparents to family life and society as a whole. The holiday was first proposed by Marian McQuade, a West Virginian housewife.

In 1970, Mrs. McQuade gathered signatures for a petition that she would present to the governors of all fifty states urging them to proclaim a “Grandparents’ Day”. Mrs. McQuade’s determined effort to promote her petition eventually caught the attention of then-President Richard Nixon who declared the first official Grandparents’ Day in 1973 as a national holiday.

It wasn’t until 1978 that the US Congress passed a law that declared the holiday be celebrated annually on the first Sunday after Labor Day. National Grandparents Day is celebrated in all fifty United States to pay tribute to elders and the loving relationships between grandparents and their families.

Significance and Meaning

National Grandparents Day is important in American culture because it brings families together and honors the old-age tradition of transferring knowledge and passing down values from one generation to the next. It is an opportunity for grandchildren to show appreciation and gratitude for their grandparents’ guidance, wisdom, and life experience.

The popularity of the holiday is also attributed to its celebration of deep family ties and values that many Americans hold dear. Grandparents’ Day serves as a reminder of the importance of generational bonds and the legacy of grandparents’ love, faith, and commitment to family.

Traditions and Celebrations

Various activities are conducted as part of traditional celebrations of National Grandparents’ Day. Some families organize a family gathering at a grandparent’s house, while others exchange heartfelt cards, gifts, and flowers. Additionally, many people take their grandparents out to dinner on Grandparents’ Day or give them homemade cards and gifts made by their grandchildren.

Many churches also honor grandparents on this day by dedicating a special service to their contributions to family and society. Government buildings, public schools, and retail stores may also recognize the day with special displays or activities that promote values of family and appreciation.

Geographical Spread

National Grandparents’ Day is celebrated nationally in the United States, with only a few states opting not to recognize the holiday. Arkansas, Connecticut, Maine, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and West Virginia are the only states that do not officially recognize Grandparents’ Day. The holiday is also observed in many countries around the world including Canada, Australia, India, and the Philippines.

In the US, Grandparents Day is most prominently observed in family-oriented states such as Idaho, Utah, and Oregon, where traditional values are still deeply rooted. Tennessee, for instance, celebrates Grandparent of the Year as part of its holiday observance. Many other states honor grandparents by offering various discounts and services to seniors on the holiday.

Modern Day Observations

In recent decades, there has been an increased emphasis on the importance of grandparents in family life, and the holiday has gained wider recognition and cultural approval. With technological advances and an ever-increasing global population, Grandparents’ Day is becoming more popular, as many families celebrate the holiday together, even if they are separated by great distances.

Interesting Facts and Trivia

1. Grandparents’ Day in the United States has been celebrated annually since 1978.
2. In addition to the United States, Grandparents’ Day is observed in more than 70 countries around the world.
3. Grandparents’ Day is the only US holiday with a family, rather than a religious, theme.
4. Marian McQuade, the woman who proposed the holiday, eventually signed 15,000 petitions and gathered 180,000 signatures in support of her proposal.
5. McQuade earned the nickname “Grandma of the Nation” for her efforts to promote the importance of grandparents.
6. Grandparents’ Day is the official start of the holiday season for many families.
7. The rose is the official flower of Grandparents’ Day.
8. The phrase “Grandparents are the stars of the family”— a popular slogan— was invented by McQuade.
9. Grandparents’ Day is the crux of a national campaign to raise awareness about intergenerational relationships.
10. Grandparents’ Day is often the busiest day of the year for florists.

Holiday Wishes

1. Wishing you a wonderful Grandparents’ Day surrounded with the love and admiration of your grandchildren!
2. Happy Grandparents’ Day to someone who is old enough to be wise and young enough to enjoy life!
3. May this Grandparents’ Day bring you happiness in abundance and many sweet moments spent with your grandchildren!
4. Sending you heartfelt wishes on Grandparents’ Day, May you be showered with lots of love and care on this special day!
5. Wishing you an extra special Grandparents’ Day with your family, May your day be full of laughter and joy!

Holiday Messages

1. Grandparents’ Day is a special opportunity to show them how much you appreciate their support and love.
2. A grandparent’s love is like a bridge between generations: deep and strong. Wishing you a Happy Grandparents’ Day!
3. Let’s show all the wonderful grandparents out there how much they mean to us! Wishing you a Happy Grandparents’ Day!
4. On Grandparents’ Day, take a moment to send your love and appreciation. Grandparents are the family’s treasured source of wisdom and love!
5. This special day is dedicated to all the amazing grandparents out there who bring joy and happiness to all our lives! Wishing you a Happy Grandparents’ Day!

Holiday Quotes

1. “As kids, we have our parents to guide us, and as adults, we have our grandparents to guide us.” – Deborah Hand
2. “Grandparents are very special people. We should cherish every moment with them.” – Becky Johns
3. “Grandparents and grandchildren have a special bond that is unbreakable.” – Uknown
4. “Grandparents share their time, knowledge, and love with children, which helps bridge the gap between generations.” – Meenakshi Chaudhary
5. “To us, family means putting your arms around each other and being there.” – Barbara Bush

Other Popular Holiday Info

National Grandparents’ Day observed in the United States is closely associated with National Grandparents’ Day in Canada. This counterpart observance is celebrated on the second Sunday in September in recognition of grandparents in Canadian families. In Canada, the day is traditionally referred to as Grandparents’ Pere et Mere.

The holiday is sponsored in the US by The National Grandparents’ Day Council Inc. The organization exists solely to expose and educate the public about the role grandparents play in family dynamics and to urge families to celebrate the special bond between the generations.

Overall, the holiday of National Grandparents’ Day in United States of America is a beautiful celebration of the wonderful bond between generations and the amazing contributions of grandparents to family life. This special holiday celebrates the role that grandparent’s have as mentors, advisors, confidantes, and friends to their families, while also emphasizing the importance of family and the important values that they bring.