National Centenarian Day

Akshita Dakh
Dec 22, 2023 By Akshita Dakh
Originally Published on Mar 18, 2022
Fact-checked by Amanpreet Kaur
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On National Centenarian Day, youngsters spend time with their centenarian family members and listen to their legendary stories.

Where is National Centenarian Day celebrated?

 National Centenarian Day is officially recognized in the United States, but it may also be celebrated in other countries.

Who is National Centenarian Day celebrated by?

National Centenarian's Day is for everyone! It's a great way to celebrate the lives and accomplishments of your elderly loved ones, as well as an opportunity to learn from their wisdom and give us hope for the future.

When did National Centenarian Day first start?

The precise year of the first celebration of National Centenarian's Day is unknown. 

Who started National Centenarian Day?

Williamsport Nursing Home in Williamsport, Maryland, launched National Centenarian's Day to recognize the growing number of centenarians in the United States.

Centenarians refer to people who are 100 years or older.

History And Timeline

In a constantly changing world, centenarians are a reminder of the importance of tradition and constancy. Hence, it is important to observe National Centenarian's Day to acknowledge their resilience and experience. Here is a brief overview of the various events that led to the observance of this holiday.

First Centenarians

People began to reach the age of 100 as life expectancy increased. The world population had grown to roughly 100 million at this time.

2500 BC

First Use Of 'Supercentenarian'

The word 'supercentenarian' is coined to address the seniors who have reached the age of 110.

19th Century

First Documented Supercentenarian

The first well-documented supercentenarian, Jeanne Louise Calment, passed away at the age of 122 years.

1997

Founding Of The Day

Williamsport Nursing Home founded National Centenarian's Day to celebrate the centenarian residents in the country.

20th Century

Global Centenarian Population

According to United Nations, there were around 573,000 centenarians worldwide in 2021.

2021

Traditions And Customs

National Centenarian's Day is all about cherishing the long lives of the centenarians in our family and society and learning from their advice and experiences.

This day urges people to instill life lessons from the 100 years of wisdom of these elderly people by spending time with them and listening to their stories. On this day, several groups honor centenarians by creating new traditions.

For instance, some share the life stories of the age-old on websites and social media, while others visit a senior living or independent living facility to celebrate the centenarians.

Ways To Observe Or Celebrate National Centenarian Day

 Spend time with elderly loved ones and learn about their life stories.

Attend community events or celebrations honoring centenarian residents.

Volunteer at an assisted senior living or independent living facility.

Write thank-you notes to centenarian residents in your community.

Create a scrapbook to preserve all the beautiful memories you shared with the centenarians in your family and society.

Facts And Stats

If you live in California, you must find several celebrations going on National Centenarian's Day, as this city has the largest number of centenarians in the United States, followed by New York, Florida, and Texas.

The seniors you would be celebrating on National Centenarian's Day are living history as they have been a part of major historical events like World War II, the Great Depression, Pearl Harbor attack, innovation in air travel, the invention of television, and so on.

It is quite rare for people to become a centenarian as only one in 10,000 people reach the age of 100 years in the world, where the average life expectancy is around 72.6 years.

So, it can be said that National Centenarian's Day celebrates this rare accomplishment of the few people who have lived a long life of 100 years.

Japan has around the largest number of centenarians in the world. Approximately six in every 10,000 people are aged 100 years or older. To honor their elderly population, they celebrate a day similar to National Centenarian's Day known as 'Respect For The Aged Day' on September 15.

Suppose you decide to visit all the centenarians in your community on National Centenarian's Day. In that case, chances are you'll find more women on the list, as studies show that most centenarians in the US are women.

Are you a centenarian if you are 90 years old?

No, you are not a centenarian if you are 90 years old. A centenarian refers to someone who is 100 years or older.

How can we celebrate National Centenarian Day with family?

You can celebrate National Centenarian's Day by throwing a party for your centenarian family member. You could also take them to their favorite restaurant and treat them to dinner, as well as buy them flowers or chocolates if they enjoy sweets!

If you want to stay at home, just sit close to an elderly family member, listen to their life story, gain advice, and cherish these moments as lifelong memories.

What are some reasons for celebrating National Centenarian Day?

National Centenarian Day is a time to reflect on the importance of family, friends, and good health. It's also a day to celebrate those who have reached this impressive milestone!

What are some advantages of celebrating National Centenarian Day?

For one, it's a great way to show your centenarian family member how much you appreciate them! It can also be a fun and festive way to bring the whole family together. Finally, National Centenarian Day is an excellent opportunity to learn more about the rich history of centenarians who have lived a long life.

When Is This Day Celebrated

  • Tuesday, September 22, 2020
  • Wednesday, September 22, 2021
  • Thursday, September 22, 2022
  • Friday, September 22, 2023
  • Sunday, September 22, 2024

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Sources

https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-centenarians-day-september-22/

https://nationaltoday.com/national-centenarians-day/amp/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centenarian#Supercentenarian

https://www.nicoa.org/national-centenarians-day/

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Written by Akshita Dakh

Bachelor of Commerce, Masters in Business Administration

Akshita Dakh picture

Akshita DakhBachelor of Commerce, Masters in Business Administration

Akshita Dakh has worked in different roles for example she has worked as a Relationship Manager at Reliance Securities, where she successfully acquired and onboarded HNI clients. Additionally, she has interned in various roles such as E-commerce specialist & Content Writer at Tanpri E-commerce, Social Media Manager & Content Writer at Kamaleya Organics, and in retail liabilities and branch banking at Kotak Mahindra Bank. Akshita holds a Master's in Business Administration from AMSOM, Ahmedabad, and a Bachelor's degree in Commerce from Asia Pacific College. 

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Fact-checked by Amanpreet Kaur

Bachelor of Business Administration, Masters of Business Administration specializing in Accounting and Finance

Amanpreet Kaur picture

Amanpreet KaurBachelor of Business Administration, Masters of Business Administration specializing in Accounting and Finance

Amanpreet has a Bachelor's degree and a Master's degree in Business Administration from the Birla Institute of Technology and Xavier Institute of Social Service respectively, coupled with her internships at Decimal Point Analytics and the Royal Bank of Scotland, has equipped her with the necessary skills to analyze complex data and present insights in an easy-to-understand format. Her paper on the impact of COVID-19 on CSR programs has received high commendation.

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