Every year the first Sunday after US Labor Day is celebrated as Grandparents Day. In the year 2024, the International Grandparents Day is being observed on September 8 and honor all the grandparents who give all their love to their children and grandchildren without expecting anything in return. Celebration of the day was declared by the US President Jimmy Carter in 1978, after a letter was written by nine-year-old Russell Capper in 1969 to the then President Nixon for dedicating a day to the grandparents.
Grandparents Day Date
Below mentioned are the upcoming dates for International Grandparents Day.
| Event | Date | Day |
| Grandparents Day 2024 | September 8 | Sunday |
| Grandparents Day 2025 | September 7 | Sunday |
| Grandparents Day 2026 | September 6 | Sunday |
International Grandparents Day Overview
| Event | Grandparents Day |
| Date | September 8 2024 |
| Day | Sunday |
| Observed by | International observance |
| Purpose | To appreciate all the joy and wisdom that grandparents bring to our lives. |
Significance of Grandparents Day
Grandparents ruin their grandchildren with all their love and gifts and chocolates and the list goes on and on. They shower their love, kindness and wisdom on their beloved children and grandchildren without expecting anything from them. To honor all the grandparents out there for the amazing love and care, International Grandparents Day is observed. It is the day of giving love back to the grandparents and was intended as a day to increase respect and appreciation for senior citizens in general.
Grandparents Day has both an official song and flower chosen by the National Grandparents Day Council. The official flower is the forget-me-not and the official song is “A Song for Grandma and Grandpa” by Johnny Prill.
History of International Grandparents Day Observation
The first thought for celebrating Grandparents Day occurred to a nine-year-old, Russell Capper, who sent a letter to the then US President in 1969, asking him to set aside a day for celebrating grandparents. Following this incident, Marian McQuade intended to establish a national day to honor grandparents and began a campaign in 1970. Her mission was to raise awareness about senior citizens and have youth understand the importance of seniors and their contributions.
A joint resolution was passed in 1977 by Senator Randolph with the help of other senators requesting the president to establish the celebration of Grandparents Day. The resolution was signed by the President Jimmy Carter on August 3 1979 declaring celebration of National Grandparents’ Day. The first Sunday of September after Labor Day was chosen as the day of observance.
Check about all days and dates in 2024
International Grandparents Day Celebration
International Grandparents Day is celebrated all over the world. Grandchildren spend the whole day with their grandparents doing the activity they both love. Families spend time with the elders of the house and indulge in favorite activities of the grandparents like cooking, baking or simply enjoying a picnic in the park. You can watch with your grandparents their favorite movie at home or if they feel like outdoorsy, you can go for hunting, fishing or any other activity of your grandparents’ choice.
If they don’t live with you, you can go visit your grandparents and bring them all kind of things like flowers, candies treats or anything else they like. In case they live far away, call them and let them know you are thinking about them. Send them handmade gifts or cards to show how much you care about them. On the occasion of International Grandparents Day, the president also issues a proclamation every year to keep the tradition going.
Grandparents Day in other countries
Here are some other observances of Grandparents Day celebrated in different parts of the world:
- Australia- Last Sunday in October
- Bangladesh- 9 September
- Brazil, Portugal, Spain- July 26
- France- First Sunday in March
- Germany, Hong Kong- Second Sunday in October
- Italy- October 2
- Japan- Third Monday of September
- Mexico- August 28
- Netherlands- June 4
- Philippines, Estonia- Second Sunday of September
- Singapore- Fourth Sunday in November
- South Sudan- Second Sunday in November
- Taiwan- Fourth Sunday in August
- United Kingdom- First Sunday in October
- World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly- Fourth Sunday of July
FAQs
Even though International Grandparents Day was signed in as a national holiday it is celebrated more as an observance than a public holiday.
The first International Grandparents Day was observed in 1979. International Grandparents Day 2024 will mark 45th anniversary of the observation.
World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly is celebrated by the universal Church on the fourth Sunday of July and in the honor of Sts. Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus.
