National Grandparents Day was created in 1978 to honor grandparents and is celebrated each year on the first Sunday after Labor Day. It was inspired by Jacob Reingold who attended a conference about aging and recognized the important role that grandparents play in families. Reingold hosted the first Grandparents Day in 1961. Marian McQuade later campaigned for the holiday to be officially recognized, and it was proclaimed in West Virginia in 1973 before being adopted nationally in 1978. Grandparents Day celebrates the contributions of grandparents in providing support, guidance, wisdom and unconditional love to their families and grandchildren.

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Grandparents Day 2022
by David Grislis | Nov 8, 2021 | Adoption & Foster Care, David Grislis
National Grandparents Day will be 61 years young on September 11, 2022. This day is set
aside to honor and celebrate grandparents throughout the United States.
The idea for Grandparents Day was born when Jacob Reingold, the chief executive of the
Hebrew Home at Riverdale, attended a white house aging conference in 1961. A speech
concerning the “new image of the aged” inspired him to recognize the role of millions of
American grandparents. There were national days in America recognizing mothers and
fathers, but no day celebrating the contributions of grandparents.
On September 16, 1961, the Hebrew Home hosted the first day that specifically honored
grandparents. The idea was well-received, and by 1963, the borough of the Bronx adopted
it as an official holiday.
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In 1970, Marian McQuade of West Virginia began a statewide campaign to establish a day
of recognition for grandparents. Her efforts were rewarded three years later, in 1973,
when the first Grandparents Day was proclaimed in West Virginia by Governor Arch
Moore.
Reingold and McQuade joined their efforts, and in 1978, the United States Congress
passed legislation recognizing the first Sunday after Labor Day as National Grandparents
Day. President Jimmy Carter signed a presidential proclamation initiating the observance
of this special holiday.
In some families lucky enough to have loving and involved grandparents, the older family
members play a crucial role. Some grandparents provide support by babysitting, running
errands, and preparing meals. There are also many situations where the grandparents are
primary caregivers and raise their grandchildren as custodians.
Even when grandparents are not as physically able, they can provide emotional support
and share wisdom gained from their life experiences. They often show unconditional love
and dedication towards their grandchildren.
Grandparents Day is a time for children to connect with their grandparents and become
aware of the strength, knowledge, and guidance older people can offer. Pausing to
intentionally acknowledge the value of grandparents deepens family bonds and fosters an
appreciation for each other.
Even cantankerous and grumpy grandparents have a lifetime of stories to share if asked.
Most older people enjoy relating their life experiences to an attentive listener.
Grandchildren who show interest in their grandparents create the opportunity for a more
fulfilling and loving relationship.
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