Don't Forget Grandparents Day on Sunday, September 12
Grandparents Day is a national holiday or observance, celebrated each year on the first Sunday after Labor Day. This year it takes place on Sunday September 12. Contrary to popular misconception, Grandparents Day was not invented by greeting card companies, florists, restaurants, or any other business interest. Serene Comfort by Ballard Blossom - Seattle WA Instead, the origin of Grandparents Day can be traced back to 1956 when a mother from West Virginia named Marian McQuade helped organize a community celebration for people over 80 years of age. In doing so, she realized how many elderly care facility residents had been forgotten by their families. She envisioned a holiday that would not only bring attention to the elderly population but would also honor all grandparents by celebrating the connections between generations. Her work paid off and in 1973 West Virginia became the first state to set aside a special day to celebrate grandparents. Three years later – in 1978 – her effort