Where would we be without our parents, the people who loved us even before we were born? They do so much for us every day of our young lives and the love doesn’t stop once we’re adults. That’s why it’s good to honor them on their special day, National Parents’ Day July 27, celebrated on the fourth Sunday in July.
While Mother’s and Father’s days were first officially celebrated in the early 1900s, (and National Grandpa Day is already approaching its 40 year anniversary); National Parents’ Day wasn’t established until 1994. That’s when President Bill Clinton signed a Congressional Resolution “recognizing, uplifting, and supporting the role of parents in bringing up their children.” Well said!
When is National Parents’ Day 2025?
The one-in-a-million bond with our parents is celebrated on National Parents’ Day every year on the fourth Sunday of July.
History of National Parents’ Day
Parents are the greatest gift of nature we have. There is nothing that comes close to taking their place in our lives. The role of parents is integral in the development of a child’s life. The aim of National Parents’ Day is to promote responsible parenting and encourage positive reinforcement by parents for children. It goes the other way as well, as the day also celebrates the sacrifices of parents and the unparalleled bond of love between parents and their children.
President Bill Clinton established the holiday in 1994 by signing the Congressional Resolution that approved National Parents’ Day by law. Republican Senator Trent Lott introduced the law, with the aim of “…uplifting, and supporting the role of parents in the rearing of children.”
It makes sense that National Parents’ Day is celebrated in July, seeing as how Mothers’ Day and Fathers’ Day celebrations fall in the months of May and June. National Parents’ Day is observed on the fourth Sunday of July every year, with participation from citizens, educational institutions, federal- and local governments, legislative bodies, and organizations. Activities and events take place to recognize, uplift, and support the role of parents in raising their children.
The Parents’ Day Council essentially promotes the holiday through ceremonies. An example is the Parents of the Year award, which honors those who set an outstanding standard for positive parenthood at local, state, and national levels.
National Parents’ Day timeline
The National Parent Teacher Association is originally formed as the National Congress of Mothers in Washington, D.C.
Its circulation reaches more than 2.2 million before its final issue is released in 2013.
The U.S. House of Representatives introduces a resolution establishing the fourth Sunday in July as National Parents’ Day.
The House and Senate both sign the Parents’ Day resolution.
President Bill Clinton signs the resolution and National Parents’ Day is born.
National Parents’ Day Traditions
Just like Mothers’ Day and Fathers’ Day, Parents’ Day is another time of the year when cards, presents, flowers, food hampers, and cakes are gifted to parents or other people who serve as parental figures in our lives. A popular tradition is to have family dinners or lunches.
Special announcements are made locally for exemplary parental figures at church services and community events. A recent addition to the annual traditions for National Parents’ Day is the hosting of rallies and proclamations, which involve organizations like the United Civil Rights Councils of America.
National Parents Day By The Numbers
40% – the percentage of children who are born to single women or unmarried women.
64% – the percentage of children living in households with two parents who are married.
25% – the percentage of children who are more physically healthy if they live with both biological parents.
50% – the percentage of children who are more likely to have health problems following their parents’ divorce.
9x – the increase in single father households since 1960.
49% – the percentage of single mothers who have never married.
National Parents’ Day FAQs
What day is National Parents’ Day?
National Parents’ Day is on July 25 every year.
Who started Parents’ Day?
President Bill Clinton signed a law in 1994 and a resolution was adopted by the U.S. Congress, establishing the fourth Sunday of every July as National Parents’ Day.
Why do we celebrate Parents’ Day?
National Parents’ Day is celebrated to appreciate parents, recognize their teamwork in raising children, and just shower them with love and affection.
National Parents’ Day Activities
Call or visit them
Parents love visits from the kids and grandkids. And let’s face it — they aren’t going to be around forever, as much as we wish they could be. We should tell our parents how much they mean to us.
Tell them they were right
Parents are always dispensing wisdom and advice as we grow up, most of it unsolicited. As kids, we often dismiss these truths or ignore them outright. Then, we grow up and have kids of our own — and we realize how right our parents were about pretty much everything all along.
Give them a holiday for the holiday
Find out where your parents have always wanted to go and send them on vacation. Take care of every detail so that all your folks have to do is show up at the airport — or the cruise ship terminal!
5 Facts About Parenting That You Aren’t Prepared For
You will wonder if you're cut out for this
No matter how much you prepare for it, there is no guaranteed way to accomplish parenting successfully — there will be days when you will wonder whether parenthood was the right choice.
Your kids are a reflection of you
Your quirks and mannerisms will be mirrored by your children — you’ll start to see more and more of yourself in them as time goes on, and it will really make you think and want to be a better person.
You will become your parents
It’s a hard pill to swallow, and it is a slow progression, but you’ll find yourself saying the same things your parents did when you were younger.
Kids shows will become your favorite
Your Netflix will be full of kids’ shows and cartoon movies, and you won’t really mind.
Parenting can be downright heartbreaking
Whether it is a milestone your child reached or a setback, everything that your child feels, you will feel tenfold.
Why We Love National Parents’ Day
Parents do everything for us
When we’re helpless babes in swaddling clothes; our parents feed us, burp us, and clean up our messy bums. When we’re up all night crying, they hold us close to their hearts and walk around the living room singing to us. They bandage our booboos. They give us someone to rely on, shoulders to cry on, and advice about kids in our classes who bully us—then say they have a crush on us. There’s nothing our parents haven’t done for us. We owe them everything.
Parents deserve a separate holiday
Moms have May, and fathers have June, so it seems appropriate that the very next month of the calendar has a day just for parents. While a relative newcomer to the slate of American familial holidays, National Parents’ Day has evolved into one of our favorites. Remember that even if the person or people who raised you with love aren't biologically-related to you, they have been there during good times and bad. Let’s honor them all.
Parents are our biggest fans
Parents think we’re beautiful little miracles when we’re kids — and even after we’ve grown up. They cheer for us when we step up to bat during Little League and they encourage us while we learn to play trumpet or even, drums. Our parents mark our growth on door jambs and walls. They celebrate us every day and now it's our chance to return the love on this special day.
National Parents’ Day dates
Year | Date | Day |
---|---|---|
2021 | July 25 | Sunday |
2022 | July 24 | Sunday |
2023 | July 23 | Sunday |
2024 | July 28 | Sunday |
2025 | July 27 | Sunday |