National Grandparents Day is celebrated on the first Sunday after Labor Day each September. It is a day to honor those cute "older" folks in our lives who are loving and kind, sometimes silly and lots of fun, full of knowledge and wisdom, and lots of other cool stuff!
According to grandparents-day.com, Grandparents Day has a threefold mission:
- To honor grandparents.
- To give grandparents an opportunity to show love for their children's children.
- To help children become aware of the strength, information and guidance older people can offer.
National Grandparents Day is a holiday originating out of West Virginia. In 1970, a West Virginia housewife and mother of 15 (I know, 15!), Marian Herndon McQuade, initiated a campaign to set aside a special day just for grandparents. Mrs. McQuade had spent many years prior to 1970 working with the elderly, she had a great love for the older generation, and championed the cause of honoring the elderly for their many accomplishments throughout their lives. She dedicated her life to advocating for senior citizens - particularly the most elderly.
With help from civic, business, church, and political leaders the campaign expanded statewide, and in 1973 the first Grandparents Day was proclaimed a West Virginia state holiday by Governor Arch Moore. Also in 1973, Senator Jennings Randolph introduced a Grandparents Day resolution in the United States Senate. Through continued efforts by Mrs. McQuade and her dutiful team, Grandparents Day was finally proclaimed a National holiday in 1978 by President Jimmy Carter. It is celebrated on the Sunday after Labor Day every year. September was chosen as the time to celebrate the holiday to signify the "autumn years" of life.
It never ceases to amaze me how, through the efforts of one person, a simple idea can flourish into something that is celebrated by an entire nation. Bravo Mrs. McQuade!
Happy Grandparents Day to all. :0)
Enjoy this classic song which talks about cherishing the precious days in the autumn of our lives - September Song by Jimmy Durante
Image: Grandparents Day Graphics - Myspace 2.0 Layouts
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