September 9: Grandparents Day

Grandparents Day is observed annually in September on the first Sunday after Labor Day. That would be today.

The moving force behind Grandparents Day was the late Marian McQuade; that's her picture, at left. Long an advocate for senior citizens, McQuade started working in earnest for the recognition of Grandparents Day in 1970. The first Grandparents Day was proclaimed in McQuade's native West Virginia in 1973. By the time McQuade passed away in 2008, her idea had become federal law (you could look it up -- and our crack research staff actually did -- it's at 36 U.S.C. §125). McQuade was survived by her 15 children, 43 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

It is therefore inappropriate to characterize Grandparents Day as a mere microminiholidayette. If you're looking for one of those, today is also Hot Dog Day. We have no idea why. Our crack research staff was unable to figure this out at all.