On August 19, 1988, President Ronald Reagan issued proclamation No. 5847 declaring August 21 as National Senior Citizens Day. In this proclamation, President Reagan said:
“For all they have achieved throughout life and for all they continue to accomplish, we owe older citizens our thanks and a heartfelt salute.”
Reagan thought it important to have a day to celebrate the achievements of senior citizens and to thank them for all the support they give society and their communities. Seniors are appreciated for being pillars of our communities, and we often seek wisdom and guidance from older people to learn from their life experiences. Senior citizens are known for their generosity and willingness to assist us in times of need – that’s why we dedicate a day to celebrate and honor them.
There is no universal definition of a “senior citizen” that applies to all contexts. The term generally refers to individuals who are older and have reached a particular age milestone, but the specific age can vary depending on the context and changes as life expectancy increases.
When it comes to certain government programs and benefits, such as Medicare, individuals typically become eligible at age 65. In the context of retirement, individuals may start considering themselves as seniors upon reaching the traditional retirement age of 65 or when they become eligible for Social Security benefits.
The goal of Senior Citizens Day is not only to show our appreciation for all that our elders do, but also to raise awareness of the conditions that many older people live in, the struggles they face, and to support them as they age. In some places, seniors are the age bracket that often faces the most difficulties and suffer more from health or economic issues.
In America, seniors are a growing age group. The U.S. Census Bureau’s national survey in 2019 showed that there had been an increase from 2010 to 2020 in the number of senior citizens. There were 13,787,044 more adults 65+ years old in 2020 than in 2010, an increase of 34%. In 2019, the total number of adults over the age of 65 was 54.1 million, or 16% of the population. The Census Bureau has also predicted that by 2034, there will be more adults over the age of 65 than children under the age of 18.
“For all they have achieved throughout life and for all they continue to accomplish, we owe older citizens our thanks and a heartfelt salute.”
President Ronald Reagan
In U.S. history, five presidents have been 65 or older when inaugurated. Joe Biden became the oldest president in American history when he was elected at the age of 78 in January 2021. In order, the oldest Presidents are:
- Joe Biden – 78 years and 61 days
- Donald Trump – 70 years and 220 days
- Ronald Reagan – 69 years and 348 days
- William Henry Harrison – 68 years and 23 days
- James Buchanan – 65 years and 315 days
Be it your grandparents or a great-aunt or uncle, Senior Citizens Day is the perfect day to spend some quality time with the elders in your family. Take them out to their favorite restaurant or cook them a favorite family recipe, and listen to their life stories. Most importantly, let them know how much they are appreciated.
Another great way to celebrate Senior Citizens Day is by volunteering at an organization that supports seniors. You can take meals to seniors, help them around the house, or spend some time in a care home entertaining residents and assisting wherever you can.
Let’s take this day to show our deep appreciation for the elders who have shaped our communities and our lives. They deserve our recognition and gratitude not just on this day, but every day.
