Senior Citizens Day
Americans honor senior citizens on August 21st each year with National Senior Citizens Day. It commemorates the contributions of senior citizens and promotes support and respect of senior citizens.
Commemorations include:
- Family gatherings with senior citizens
- Community events in their honor
- Special senior citizen discounts
- Programs spreading awareness for support of senior citizens and their achievements
- Healthcare campaigns that promotes the heath of senior citizens
- Cards or gifts sent to senior citizens
- Visits of nursing homes and other senior care centers
History
President Franklin Roosevelt Social Security Act on August 1, 1935, prompting the unofficial celebration of senior citizens. This act created the Social Security system in America, which gives tax money to senior citizens who no longer work.
In 1988, President Ronald Reagan established National Senior Citizens Day to be celebrated on August 21st.
Facts about senior citizens
- In 2004, there were 36.3 million aged 65 and older in the United States, which is 12% of the population.
- Between 2000 and 2050, it is believed that there will be a 147% increase in the number of people in the 65 and older category.
- About 9.1 of senior citizens are veterans.
- Around 5 million senior citizens are still employed
- 47,000 senior citizens were enrolled in college in 2004.
- 56% of senior citizens were married in 2004.
