Grandparents’ Day is a day to honour and recognize the contributions grandparents make in their families and society. This is a secular international holiday for celebrating the connections between generations in various countries across the world.
The origin of Grandparents’ Day dates back to 1970 when Marian MacQuade started a campaign for Grandparents’ Day to become a national day. McQuade worked towards raising awareness about senior citizens and the contributions they have made throughout history as well as encouraged the youth to ‘adopt’ a grandparent for a specific duration of time. In the United States, McQuade is recognized by the US Senate, specifically Senator Robert Byrd and Jennings Randolph, as well as President Jimmy Carter as the founder of this holiday.
In 1973, Senator Randolph presented a resolution to the Senate, requesting Grandparents’ Day to be made a national holiday. However, this move died in the committee which forced McQuade to organize supporters and reach out to governors, congressmen, and senators among the 50 states urging them to declare their own Grandparents’ Day. Along with West Virginia’s annual declaration of Grandparents Day by Governor Arch Moore, 43 other states followed suit and proclaimed a National Grandparents’ Day.
In February 1977, other senators including Randolph issued a joint resolution to the US Senate demanding for an annual presidential proclamation declaring the first Sunday after Labour Day as the official Grandparents’ Day. In August 3rd, 1978, the proclamation was signed by President Jimmy Carter declaring Grandparents’ Day an annual official holiday.
Generally, Grandparents’ Day is celebrated with special activities, including spending quality time with family. This holiday was initially created to honour grandparents and to provide an opportunity for them to share their love with their grandchildren while helping them to realize their strengths, guide them, and provide them with indispensable information. In some countries, this day is an official federal holiday which occurs on various days of the year and in some cases is even observed as a separate holiday for Grandfathers’ Day and Grandmothers’ Day.
Canada
Grandparents’ Day was instituted in 1995 but was discontinued in 2014.
Australia
Queensland observes Grandparents’ Day on the first Sunday of October, while New South Wales observed it on October 30th in 2011 and have since then observed it on the last Sunday of October.
France
In France, Grandmothers’ Day was introduced in 1987 by a coffee brand known as Kraft Jacobs Suchard Group and was later officially added in the French calendars and is observed on the first Sunday of March.
Estonia
Grandparent’s Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of September.
Germany
Grandmothers’ Day was introduced in 2010 and is observed on the second Sunday of October.
Italy
In Italy, Grandparents’ Day, officially referred to as the National Grandparents’ Feast, was introduced in 2005 and is celebrated on October 2nd.
Mexico
In Mexico, Grandparents’ Day is observed on August 28th.
Netherlands
In the Netherlands, Opa en Oma Dag was established in 2004 on June 4th as a day for grandparents to spend time participating in enjoyable activities with their grandchildren. A common tradition promoted during this holiday is ‘adopt a grandparent for a day or a lifetime.’
Hong Kong
Grandparents’ Day in Hong Kong was first introduced in 1990 and is celebrated on the second Sunday of October.
Poland
Grandma’s Day was introduced in 1964 and popularized from 1965. Grandma’s Day is observed on January 21st while Grandpa’s Day is observed on January 22nd.
South Sudan
Grandparents’ Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of November since its establishment in 2013.
Spain
In Spain, this holiday is observed on July 26th along with the Feast of Saint Joachim and Saint Anne—parents of Mary, the mother of Jesus.
Taiwan
In Taiwan, Grandparents’ Day was introduced by the Ministry of Education of the Republic of China on August 29th, 2010. This day is observed annually on the last Sunday of August.
Singapore
In Singapore, this holiday was first celebrated in 1979 on the fourth Sunday of November.
United States
In the US, Grandparents’ Day is observed on the last Sunday after Labour Day.
United Kingdom
This holiday was first established in the UK in 1990 and since 2008, it has been observed on the first Sunday of October.
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