Grandparents Day 2025: Date, History & Ways to Celebrate

Grandparents Day 2025 falls on Sunday, September 7, and is observed in the United States, Canada, and India. It always takes place on the first Sunday after Labor Day. Though not a federal holiday, it’s a widely recognized observance celebrating the unique bond between grandparents and their grandchildren.

Is Grandparents Day a Public Holiday?

• No, Grandparents Day is not a public holiday. Businesses, schools, and government offices follow their regular Sunday schedules.

Why Do We Celebrate Grandparents Day?

• This day honors the contributions, wisdom, and love of grandparents. It also highlights their role in nurturing, guiding, and connecting families across generations.
• With changing family dynamics and rising digital detachment, Grandparents Day is a reminder to reconnect with the elders in our lives.

Who Started Grandparents Day?

The holiday was inspired by Marian McQuade, a homemaker and elder care advocate from West Virginia, who campaigned for a national day to recognize grandparents in the 1970s.

Thanks to her efforts,

• In 1978, President Jimmy Carter signed a proclamation making it official.
• The first observance was held on September 9, 1979.

Symbols of Grandparents Day

• Official Flower: Forget-me-not – symbolizing remembrance and love.
• Official Song: “A Song for Grandma and Grandpa” by Johnny Prill, with a Spanish version (“Una Canción para la Abuela y el Abuelo”) released in 2024.

How Do Families Celebrate Grandparents Day?

Families show appreciation through,

• Gift-giving: Handmade cards, flowers, or personal mementos
• Spending time: Meals, visits, or shared activities
• Virtual connections: Video calls or digital photo albums
• School events: Art contests, story-sharing, or performances
• Creative Ways to Celebrate Grandparents Day 2025

Here are some ideas to make the day memorable,

• Create a Family Tree Together
• Cook Their Favorite Recipes
• Record Their Life Stories
• Host a Grandparent Trivia Night
• Plan a Virtual Celebration for Distant Relatives
• Give the Gift of Time—Unplugged

Important Takeaways for Exam

• Observed on: Sunday, September 7, 2025
• Initiated by Marian McQuade, a West Virginia activist, in the 1970s
• Officially proclaimed in 1978 by President Jimmy Carter
• First Sunday after Labor Day (annual recurrence)