Grandparents' Day
 | This article may require copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone, or spelling. (July 2008) |
| National Grandparents Day | |
|---|---|
| Observed by | United States and Canada |
| Type | National |
| Date | First Sunday after Labor Day |
| 2024 date | September 12, 2010 |
National Grandparents Day is a secular holiday celebrated in the United States and Canada on the first Sunday after Labor Day and is celebrated in the United Kingdom on the first Sunday in October.
United States
Some people claim the origin of the holiday resides with the efforts of Hermine Beckett Hanna of North Syracuse, New York, recognizing seniors and their importance as early as 1961. On February 21, 1990, New York Congressman James T. Walsh recognized the efforts of Hermine Beckett Hanna in front of the U.S. House of Representatives, thanking her "for her important role in the establishment of Grandparents Day."[1]
Others point to Marian McQuade of Oak Hill, West Virginia who has also been recognized nationally by The United States Senate—in particular by Senator Alphonse D'Amato and President Carter—as the founder of National Grandparents Day. McQuade made it her goal to educate the youth in the community about the important contributions seniors have made throughout history. She also urged the youth to "adopt" a grandparent, not only for one day a year, but rather for a lifetime.
In 1973, Senator Jennings Randolph (D-WV) introduced a resolution to the Senate to make Grandparents Day a national holiday. Five years later in 1978, Congress passed legislation proclaiming the first Sunday after Labor Day as National Grandparents Day and then-President Jimmy Carter signed the proclamation[2].The statute cites the day's purpose as: "... 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."
Official Song of Grandparents Day
In 2004, the National Grandparents Day Council of Chula Vista, CA announced that "A Song for Grandma And Grandpa" by Johnny Prill would be the official song of the National Grandparents Day holiday. United States Senator Debbie Stabenow told Prill: "It is wonderful that 'A Song For Grandma And Grandpa' was chosen as the official song of National Grandparents Day. You have put into words the unique relationship between grandparents and their grandchildren."
Official Flower of Grandparents Day
The official flower of National Grandparents Day is the Forget-me-not.
Canada
National Grandparents Day began in Canada in 1995. Motion Number 273 submitted in the House of Commons by Mr. Sarkis Assadourian read: [3]
That, in the opinion of this House, the government should consider designating the second Sunday in September of each year as grandparents day in order to acknowledge their importance to the structure of the family in the nurturing, upbringing and education of children.
The motion was agreed to.
United Kingdom
The celebration was introduced to the UK in 1990 by charity Age Concern. It has been celebrated on the first Sunday in October since 2008.[4]
Citation needed of this actually being celebrated outside the dreams of its creators' press release writers.
France
In France, Grandmother's Day began in 1987 and is celebrated on the first Sunday in March.
Poland
In Poland Grandmother's Day (Dzień Babci) is celebrated on January 21. Grandfather's Day (Dzień Dziadka) is celebrated a day later, on January 22.
References
- ^ A Tribute to Hermine Beckett Hanna on Establishment of National Grandparents Day (House of Representatives - February 21, 1990)
- ^ Jimmy Carter: Proclamation 4580 - National Grandparents Day, 1978
- ^ "Debates (No. 247)". Debates of the House of Commons: 35th Parliament, 1st Session. House of Commons of Canada. October 25, 1995. Retrieved May 11, 2008.
- ^ Grandparents' Day has moved to Sunday October 5, 2008 - Age Concern 2008-02-26