Dates to honor grandparents
In Mexico there is more than one date to recognize grandparents, which raises doubts among families about which is the correct day. While Sunday, July 26, International Grandparents’ Day is commemorated in several countries, in Mexican territory the date with the greatest roots continues to be August 28.
The difference between both celebrations responds to the origin of each one. July 26 is related to the Christian tradition that remembers Saint Joachim and Saint Anne, parents of the Virgin Mary and considered, according to Catholic tradition, the grandparents of Jesus. The date was promoted in 1998 by the Messengers of Peace organization to recognize the importance of older adults.
In Mexico, Grandfather’s Day is traditionally celebrated on August 28. This date was established in 1983 and was promoted by public institutions and social assistance organizations. Its objective is to highlight the contribution of older people, promote respect and raise awareness about the need to guarantee them a dignified life.
Added to these dates is October 1, declared by the UN as the International Day of Older Persons. This commemoration seeks to make visible the rights of older adults and reflect on the social, economic and health challenges faced by a population that continues to grow worldwide.




