National Grandparents' Day
The Sunday after Labor Day, Sept. 11, 2016, is known as National Grandparents’ Day. This honor for all grandparents in the United States which will rise from 65 million in 2011 to 80 million in 2020 as a result of the baby boomers.
It was Marian McQuade of Oak Hill, West Virginia who was the founder of National Grandparents Day. It was officially claimed by the US Senate and US President Jimmy Carter in July 1978. McQuade especially wanted the grandparents in nursing homes to be remembered on a special day. Forget-Me-Note flowers have become the official flowers for grandparents on that day. This annual event is now also celebrated in other nations across the globe. Marian McQuade passed away in 2008 but left a wonderful legacy.
The best method to honor you grandparents is to write their life’s story. Everyone does have a unique and interesting story. They may have served during war time or in a defense plant. Life could have had many ups and downs for them and they survived them all.
Ask them about their childhood years and what it was like to raise your mother or father. Ask about their first job experience and how much they made as a salary. Ask about family traditions or activities that were popular in the household. Most important, ask what advice they would offer you – their grandchild today.
They will be honored to know you are concerned about them. The time taken to gather this information will be a true legacy for you in the years ahead and for future generations.
Even if you have no grandparents living, check with some of your friends and together you and your friends can honor their grandparents by doing their life story.
Photos: Love grandparents, logo for grandparents’ day and grandparents with grandkids.
Related FamilyTree.com genealogy blogs:
Your Great Grandparents were People Too
Your Great Grandparents Did What ?
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