NATIONAL CENTENARIAN’S DAY | SEPTEMBER 22
On September 22nd, National Centenarian’s Day honors those who’ve celebrated 100 birthdays or more.
#NationalCentenariansDay
Initially, the day urged people to listen to the stories centenarians had to tell. Their rich history and wisdom offered a wealth of information. As the celebration spread, groups formed to honor centenarians in various ways. Often, listening to their life stories proves the age-old saying that with age comes wisdom.
Recent 2019 estimates place approximately 72,000 centenarians in the United States alone. The youngest of those were born after the end of World War I and the signing of the Treaty of Versailles. They represent a living history full of stories not found in history books. Their stories animate and compliment what we already know. Listening to their tails of accomplishment and perseverance highlight and magnify the events of the past.
At the same time, their personal histories create something legendary for those who hear them. Traditions we no longer practice or turns of phrase come traipsing across their memories to be revived and shared once more. Tribulations and experiences long forgotten reflect in their eyes. We benefit from every story they tell and every remembrance they share.
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL CENTENARIAN’S DAY
Visit with a centenarian and tap into a wealth of knowledge, entertaining stories, and traditions from a time gone by. Celebrate their liveliness, uniqueness and their longevity. Try these other fun ways to celebrate, too!
- Ask their secret to their longevity.
- Bring centenarians together for an online chat.
- Collect their favorite recipes and cooking tips.
- Create collections of 100 things related to a centenarian you know. For example, 100 pictures, 100 stories, 100 facts, 100 songs.
Use #CentenariansDay to post on social media.
NATIONAL CENTENARIANS DAY HISTORY
Williamsport Nursing Home, Williamsport, MD established National Centenarian’s Day to celebrate the growing population of centenarians around the country.
Centenarian FAQ
Q. How many centenarians are there in the world?
A. In 2021, there were an estimated 573,423 centenarians.
Q. How many centenarians were there in 1950?
A. There were approximately 33,899 centenarians in 1950.
Q. Who is the oldest person in the world?
A. In 2021, the oldest person in the world was Kane Tanaka of Japan at the age of 118 years old.
Q. What is a supercentenarian?
A. A supercentenarian is someone who lives to at least 110 years old.
Q. How many supercentenarians are there in the world.
A. There are an estimated 700-1000 supercentenarians around the world.
