National Grandparents Day 2025 in the United States

National Grandparents Day is observed annually on the first Sunday after Labor Day in September. It’s a special day to honor grandparents and recognize their important role in families and society.

Is National Grandparents Day a Public Holiday?

National Grandparents Day is not a public holiday. It falls on Sunday, September 7, 2025 and most businesses follow regular Sunday opening hours in United States.

How People Celebrate

Families celebrate this day in a variety of ways, including giving cards or gifts, spending time with grandparents, or inviting them to school events such as assemblies that honor them.

Many schools organize storytelling sessions, art projects, or poster contests that highlight students’ special relationships with their grandparents.

It’s also common for people to invite their grandparents for a meal or visit them in retirement communities and nursing homes to show their love and appreciation.

If loved ones live further away from their elderly relatives, they may call, send cards via mail, make video calls, or share family photo albums online.

What’s Open, What’s Closed?

National Grandparents Day is an observance rather than a public holiday, and it always falls on a Sunday.

Most schools and government offices are closed as part of the normal weekend schedule, not because of the observance itself. In most cases, retail stores and other businesses that operate on Sundays tend to remain open and follow their regular hours.

History of Grandparents Day

National Grandparents Day originated largely through the efforts of Marian Lucille Herndon McQuade of West Virginia, a dedicated advocate for the elderly. Beginning in the early 1970s, Marian McQuade advocated for a formal Grandparents Day, encouraging people to “adopt a grandparent” and celebrating senior citizens’ wisdom and contributions to society.

Some anecdotal accounts also credit Michael Goldgar of Atlanta with advocating for his aunt in a nursing home. He allegedly spent about $11,000 of his own money and traveled multiple times to Washington to promote the idea of officially recognizing National Grandparents Day.

In 1978, President Jimmy Carter issued Proclamation 4580, designating Sunday, September 10 as National Grandparents Day for that year.

The following year, President Carter established the observance as recurring annually on the first Sunday after Labor Day, with the first such observance occurring on September 9, 1979.

Since then, it has become customary for each President to issue an annual proclamation every year designating that day and calling on Americans to observe it with “appropriate ceremonies and activities,” in line with the statute.

Symbols of National Grandparents Day

National Grandparents Day is represented by meaningful symbols that highlight the importance of honoring and remembering grandparents.

The official flower, the forget-me-not, holds special significance. Known for its delicate beauty, this flower symbolizes enduring love and remembrance, encouraging us to cherish our grandparents and the legacy they leave behind.

The day also has an official song: “A Song for Grandma and Grandpa” by Johnny Prill, which celebrates the love between generations. In 2024, a Spanish version titled “Una Canción para la Abuela y el Abuelo” was released, expanding its reach and meaning across cultures.

Related Holidays:

• Mother’s Day
• Father’s Day

While we diligently research and update our holiday dates, some of the information in the table above may be preliminary. If you find an error, please let us know.