National Grandparents Day falls on the first Sunday after Labor Day, which is September 13 in 2026. It is a floating observance that honors grandparents, celebrates the bond between generations, and encourages families to spend meaningful time together.
When is National Grandparents Day?
National Grandparents Day is held on the first Sunday after Labor Day each year. In 2026 that is September 13, and in 2027 it moves to September 12. The date deliberately follows Labor Day, placing it in early autumn when families are settling back into routines.
History and origin of National Grandparents Day
The day has a clearly documented founder: Marian McQuade, an elder-rights activist and mother of 15 from Oak Hill, West Virginia. Beginning around 1970, she campaigned for a day to honor grandparents, motivated in part by concern that older people, especially nursing-home residents, were missing family connection. West Virginia proclaimed the first statewide Grandparents Day in 1973. In 1978, President Jimmy Carter signed legislation designating the first Sunday after Labor Day as National Grandparents Day, and the first national observance took place in 1979. McQuade insisted the day stay focused on homemade gifts and family time rather than commercialism.
Why National Grandparents Day matters
Grandparents often serve as keepers of family history, sources of wisdom, and reliable caregivers. National Grandparents Day reminds families to value those relationships and, importantly, to include elders who may be isolated. The day’s purpose, in McQuade’s words, was not only to honor grandparents but to help children learn from the strength and guidance older generations can offer. It carries an official flower, the forget-me-not, which underscores its theme of remembrance.
How to celebrate National Grandparents Day
- Visit grandparents in person or schedule a video call if you live far away.
- Make a homemade gift or card, in keeping with the day’s original spirit.
- Record family stories or memories to preserve for future generations.
- Share a meal or a favorite activity across generations.
- Visit older relatives or residents in care facilities who may be lonely.
- Look through old photos together and label them for the family.
- Plant forget-me-nots, the day’s official flower, in their honor.
The founder’s vision and legacy
Marian McQuade’s campaign was rooted in a specific worry: that older people, especially those living in nursing homes, were being forgotten and cut off from their families. A mother of 15 and grandmother many times over, she wanted a day that would not only honor grandparents but also encourage children to seek out the wisdom and history that older generations carry. She was firm that the day should center on family time and homemade gifts rather than commercial spending, and she famously declined royalties from a company selling Grandparents Day cards. That non-commercial spirit remains part of the day’s identity.
Grandparents Day traditions
Because the day falls in early September, just after the school year begins for many families, it often becomes an intergenerational check-in. Schools sometimes invite grandparents to visit classrooms, and families use the day to record oral histories, sort through old photographs, or simply share a meal. The forget-me-not serves as the day’s official flower, a fitting symbol of remembrance and enduring bonds. For grandparents who are far away or in care facilities, a visit, a call, or a handwritten letter can mean a great deal, which ties back directly to McQuade’s original goal of keeping elders connected.
Related days and observances
Related celebrations include Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, National Family Day, and Older Americans Month. Each highlights family ties or the contributions of older generations.
Fun facts
Marian McQuade reportedly turned down royalties from a company selling Grandparents Day cards to keep the day non-commercial. The forget-me-not was chosen as the official flower for its connection to memory and lasting bonds.
More than four decades after President Carter signed it into law, National Grandparents Day still reflects Marian McQuade’s original vision of connection over commercialism. It encourages families to bridge the generations, to record and preserve family stories, and above all to make sure older relatives feel remembered rather than forgotten. A visit, a phone call, a handmade card, or an afternoon spent looking through old photos captures the day far better than any store-bought gift, keeping its founder’s purpose alive.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is National Grandparents Day?
It is the first Sunday after Labor Day, which is September 13 in 2026 and September 12 in 2027.
Who founded National Grandparents Day?
Marian McQuade of West Virginia founded it and campaigned for national recognition.
When did it become official?
President Jimmy Carter signed it in 1978, and the first National Grandparents Day was observed in 1979.
Why do we celebrate National Grandparents Day?
To honor grandparents and strengthen bonds across generations, including elders in care.
Is National Grandparents Day a public holiday?
No. It is a recognized observance but not a federal or public holiday.
What is the official flower of National Grandparents Day?
The forget-me-not is associated with the day.