Grandparents Day: September

The origins of Grandparents Day begin with the work of Marian McQuade. Mrs. McQuade worked on behalf of the elderly, particularly those in nursing homes. She was concerned about the loneliness that many residents of the nursing homes faced. She also felt that grandchildren were not sharing in the wisdom and heritage that grandparents could offer. So she began her campaign in 1970 to set aside a special day for grandparents.

The first Grandparents Day was celebrated in West Virginia in 1973. In 1978 the US Congress passed legislation proclaiming a National Grandparents Day. The month of September was chosen to signify the "autumn years" of life. That same year President Jimmy Carter officially proclaimed the first Sunday after Labor Day as National Grandparents Day.

Hallmark Cards requested permission from Mrs. McQuade to publish greeting cards for the holiday. Mrs. McQuade agreed to the request but declined to accept any royalties, saying she did not want to make any money on the holiday.

Mrs. McQuade's efforts also helped persuade President Richard Nixon to proclaim a National Shut-in Day in 1972.

Observed: The first Sunday after Labor Day

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