In 1970, a West Virginia housewife, Marian Lucille Herndon McQuade, initiated a campaign to set aside a special day just for Grandparents.
The first Grandparents Day was proclaimed in 1973 in West Virginia by Governor Arch Moore. Also in 1973, Senator Randolph introduced a Grandparents Day resolution in the United States Senate. In 1978, five years after its West Virginia inception, the United States Congress passed legislation proclaiming the first Sunday after Labor Day as National Grandparents Day. The proclamation was signed by President Jimmy Carter
Mrs. McQuade, still an advocate for senior citizens, has served in numerous positions, including serving as a delegate to the White House Conference on Aging. In addition to her various community roles, Mrs. McQuade is the mother of 15 children, grandmother to 40 and great-grandmother to eight.

Tradition
Grandparents Day is a traditional family day. Schools, Colleges, churches, and senior organizations honor grandparents with special events.
Some families celebrates through small gatherings. Some celebrates by holding a family reunion with all members. Playing common Board games, cooking food outside, traveling with grand parents which enhance "intergenerational interaction". For those who entertain large groups, this can be fun to have their grand parent's stories which is mirror of " the old days." As Grandparents Day approaches, help Children and/or Grandchildren to identify and date all photos in old family albums.

Facts
Today this event, begun by only a few, is observed by millions throughout the United States. Grandparents Day is the perfect time to enhance communication between the generations. In one sentence, it is the bridge between generations.