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Dates, Times, & History
Important Dates
Grandparent's Day is a celebration of God's gift of family. It's celebrated on the first Sunday after Labor Day (the first Monday in September).
Most years Grandparent's Day falls on the first Sunday after Creation Week, but some years it's the Sunday of Creation Week.
Most years Grandparent's Day falls on the first Sunday after Creation Week, but some years it's the Sunday of Creation Week.
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History
Like Mother’s Day and Father’s Day The Celebration of God sets aside a whole day to celebrate God's gift of our grandparents (and other ancestors). Though we don't worship our ancestors, we do recognize the key role they played in God's plan to insert us into His story.
In 1969, nine-year-old American boy by the name of Russell Capper sent President Nixon a letter suggesting that a day should be set aside in order to celebrate grandparents. On June 12, 1969, he received a letter back from Rose Mary Woods — Personal Secretary to the President — reading, “Dear Russell, Thank you for your letter to President Nixon. Your suggestion regarding a Grandparent’s Day is appreciated, but the President ordinarily issues proclamations designating periods for special observance only when a Congressional resolution authorizes him to do so. With best wishes, Sincerely, Rose Mary Woods Personal Secretary to the President.”
Following this letter, Marian McQuade was recognized nationally by the U.S. Senate and by President Jimmy Carter as the founder of National Grandparents Day. McQuade wanted to educate the youth about the importance of seniors and the contributions they have made throughout history. She urged the youth to “adopt” a grandparent and learn more about their lives, challenges, and desires for the future.
In 1977, Senator Randolph, with the help of other senators, introduced a joint resolution to the senate requesting the president to “issue annually a proclamation designating the first Sunday of September after Labor Day of each year as ‘National Grandparents’ Day’.” Congress passed the legislation, proclaiming the first Sunday after Labor Day as National Grandparent’s Day. On August 3, 1978, Jimmy Carter signed the proclamation, and the day was finally celebrated the following year.
In 1969, nine-year-old American boy by the name of Russell Capper sent President Nixon a letter suggesting that a day should be set aside in order to celebrate grandparents. On June 12, 1969, he received a letter back from Rose Mary Woods — Personal Secretary to the President — reading, “Dear Russell, Thank you for your letter to President Nixon. Your suggestion regarding a Grandparent’s Day is appreciated, but the President ordinarily issues proclamations designating periods for special observance only when a Congressional resolution authorizes him to do so. With best wishes, Sincerely, Rose Mary Woods Personal Secretary to the President.”
Following this letter, Marian McQuade was recognized nationally by the U.S. Senate and by President Jimmy Carter as the founder of National Grandparents Day. McQuade wanted to educate the youth about the importance of seniors and the contributions they have made throughout history. She urged the youth to “adopt” a grandparent and learn more about their lives, challenges, and desires for the future.
In 1977, Senator Randolph, with the help of other senators, introduced a joint resolution to the senate requesting the president to “issue annually a proclamation designating the first Sunday of September after Labor Day of each year as ‘National Grandparents’ Day’.” Congress passed the legislation, proclaiming the first Sunday after Labor Day as National Grandparent’s Day. On August 3, 1978, Jimmy Carter signed the proclamation, and the day was finally celebrated the following year.
Season of Mercy
Character Focus
God is merciful in that He gave us life, and Grandparent's are are a necessary part of that process. We also don't deserve to have a history, culture, language, and traditions, but the Lord mercifully used our grandparents (and all those that went before them) to provide us these blessings.
Salvation Focus
During the Season of Mercy we focus on mankind's Desperation. God created us in order to have a relationship with us, but there's a problem. Our Desperation refers to the fact that because we are all sinners we cannot have a relationship with God. Though we can thank God for our ancestors, it's was through the actions of our first Grandfather, Adam, that we have been plunged into sin. We can't consider look at any of the lives that have gone before us without seeing the devastation of sin and the reminder that we need a Savior.
