The History of National Grandparent's Day
To honor grandparents
To give grandparents an opportunity to show love
for their children's children.
To help children become aware of the strength,
information and guidance older people can offer.
Grandparent's Day is...
The First Sunday After Labor Day
A Brief History of the Holiday:
In 1970, a West Virginia housewife, Marian Lucille
Herndon McQuade, initiated a campaign to set aside
a special day just for Grandparents. Through
concerted efforts on the part of civic, business,
church, and political leaders, this campaign
expanded statewide. Senator Jennings Randolph
(D-WV) was especially instrumental in the project.
The first Grandparents Day was proclaimed in 1973
in West Virginia by Governor Arch Moore. Also in
1973, Senator Randolph introduced a Grandparents
Day resolution in the United States Senate. The
resolution languished in committee.
Mrs. McQuade and her team turned to the media to
garner support. They also began contacting
governors, senators, congressmen in every state.
And they sent letters to churches, businesses,
and numerous national organizations interested
in senior citizens. In 1978, five years after
its West Virginia inception, the United States
Congress passed legislation proclaiming the
first Sunday after Labor Day as National Grand
parents Day. The proclamation was signed by
President Jimmy Carter. (September was chosen
for the holiday, to signify the "autumn years"
of life.)
Today this event, begun by only a few, is
observed by millions throughout the United
States.
Facts About The Founder:
Of Grandparents Day
A native of Fayette County, Marian McQuade and
her husband Joe are the parents of 15 children.
They have 40 grandchildren, and eight great
grandchildren.
Mrs. McQuade began a campaign in 1970 to set
aside a day for grandparents; yet her work with
senior citizens dates back to 1956, beginning
with the Past Eighty Party, (originated by Jim
Comstock, editor of the West Virginia Hillbilly).
Mrs. McQuade has worked in several states with
seniors. Iin 1971, she was elected Vice-Chairman
of the West Virginia Committee on Aging and
appointed as delegate to the White House
Conference on Aging by Governor Arch A. Moore.
In 1972, Mrs. McQuade's efforts helped persuade
President Richard Nixon to proclaim a National
Shut-in Day.
Having served as President of the Vocational
Rehabilitation Foundation, Vice-President of
the West Virginia Health Systems Agency,
appointed to the Nursing Home Licensing Board
and having served as Co-chairman for the Bi-
Centennial Centenarian Search for the West
Virginia Commission on Aging, Mrs. McQuade has
dedicated her life to advocating for senior
citizens--pprticularly the most elderly.
In 1973, West Virginia began a statewide campaign
to set aside a special day just for grandparents.
The first Grandparents Day was set by Governor
Arch Moore.
Through concerted efforts on the part of
individuals interested in preserving their
heritage, this campaign was headed by Marian
McQuade of Fayette County, mother of fifteen
children.
Senator Jennings Randolph (D-WV) was especially
instrumental in this project. In 1973, Senator
Randolph introduced a resolution in the United
States Senate and in 1978, five years after its
inception, Congress passed legislation
proclaiming the first Sunday after Labor Day as
National Grandparents Day.
September was the month chosen, signifying the
"autumn years" of life, and today this event,
begun by only a few, is observed by thousands
throughout the United States.
For a complete history of the holiday, please
visit The National Grandparent's Day Home Page
Observance/Suggested Activities:
Grandparents Day is a family day. Schools,
churches, and senior organizations honor
grandparents with special events. Some
families enjoy small, private gatherings.
Others celebrate by holding a family reunion.
Board games which are easily played by young
and old add enjoyment to family gatherings,
enhancing "intergenerational interaction".
For those who entertain large groups, it can be
fun to have a story-telling time, allowing
grandparents to relate stories of their past,
enlightening children about " the old days."
Also interesting is to take a census, such as
oldest and newest grandchild, family with the
most grandchildren, and families with five
generation present.
As Grandparents Day approaches, help Children
and/or Grandchildren to identify and date all
photos in old family albums. Many happy
memories can be derived from this.Everyone is
a grandchild and can be involved in the
observance of this day - a time to discover
one's roots and leam patience, understanding
and appreciation for the elderly. Grandparents
Day is the perfect time to enhance communication
between the generations.
Special talents, such as cooking, sculpting or
quilting can be passed on to those who display an
interest. Old family music, songs and dances,
along with their meanings and origins, are
important in maintaining a strong sense of family
background. Together, re-construct a family tree,
giving children the opportunity to learn the
ancestral line of their family. Strive to preserve
particular ethnic or religious beliefs.
Many times, only grandparents have answers to
questions about family histories. When this
information is passed down to the grandchildren,
everyone can be assured of his heritage being
preserved.
Most important, Grandparents Day can signify a
loving spirit that lives winin us throughout the
year--a spirit of love and respect for our elders.
Shut-Ins and Homebound Elderly:
Along with Grandparents Day, we should not
forget shut-ins and those in nursing homes
who are unable to be with their families or
have no families. Every effort must be made
to include these people in the mainstream
through cards, community projects and
visitation at times other than just holidays.
There are many, many elderly who are not
fortunate encough to have family nearby.
The need is increarsing every day to fill
the void of their loneliness. In every
neighborhood, there are elderly who would
love an opportunity to be a Foster Grandparent.
Parents, churches, schools, and senior
organizations, help children to adopt a
grandparent!
For those not fortunate enough to have either
grandparents or grandchildren, the need is
increasing every day to fill these voids.
There are many lonely people who would love
the opportunity to be a Foster Grandparent;
and for children it's not such a bad idea to
adopt a grandparent.
For more information on how you can help,
visit Forget-Me-Not, Honoring America's
Grandparents.
Observance:
Proper observance of Grandparents Day is very
important. Some families enjoy small, private
gatherings, but for those who entertain larger
groups, it can be fun to have a story-telling
time, allowing grandparents to relate stories
of their past, enlightening children as to how
it was to grow up "back in the old days." Ice
cream socials, picnics and lunch box socials
have also proven successful.
A very significant part of such reunions should
include an update of family albums and pictures.
Names and dates should be put on old photos and
many grandparents and grandchildren have begun
family scrapbooks which live on, carrying many
memories.
It is interesting to take a census, such as
oldest and newest grandchild, family with the
most grandchildren, or five generation families.
As Grandparents Day approaches, help Children to
identify and date all photos in old family albums,
while they have someone to ask. Many happy memories
can be derived from this in years ahead.
Everyone is a grandchild and can be involved in the
observance of this day - a time to discover one's
roots and leam patience and understanding for the
elderly.
This is also a perfect time to establish a
communication that will never be broken. Many
times only grandparents have knowledge or
answers to questions about family histories.
When this information is passed down to the
grandchildren, everyone can be assured of his
heritage being preserved;a valuable and necessary
asset in a day and age when close-knit families
are becoming a thing of the past.
Stress the importance of keeping a family tree,
and strive to preserve particular ethnic or
religious beliefs. Each child and grandchild
needs to know the ancestral line of his parents.
You will find more Grandparent's Day Activity
Ideas here.
But most important, this day should be a spirit
that lives throughout the year--a spirit we carry
inside ourselves.
