Observed every year on the 22nd of September, National Centenarian’s Day is a holiday that honors and celebrates the lives of people who have reached the magical 100-year mark. Of course, this holiday was conceived to be more than just a day to slap a 100-year-old person on the back and congratulate them for not dying.

It was also conceived as a day on which people are encouraged to contact the centenarians in their lives to glean all of their wisdom and sense of history. We can learn a lot from our seniors if we’re wise enough to ask them about their lives.

Some Amazing Facts About Centenarians

Sometimes we come across a subject that we don’t know much about, and sadly, this is one of those times. We just didn’t know much about people who have reached the 100-year mark, so we had to do a lot of research for this holiday article.

Below are the amazing facts that we learned about centenarians — facts that underline why we feel it’s important to celebrate National Centenarian’s Day.

• In 2021, there were 97,000 centenarians living in the United States.
• By 2050, it’s estimated that there will be 300,000 centenarians living in the U.S.
• According to the latest research, genes only account for 10% of a person’s chances of reaching 100.
• Lifestyle choices and common sense also play a significant role in reaching the age of 100 years.

The History Of National Centenarian’s Day

This holiday has been celebrated for quite a few years, and while there are a few competing origin stories of where it actually started, many people agree that it began at Williamsport Nursing Home in Williamsport, Maryland. It was celebrated as a day on which people are encouraged to learn from the ever-growing population of centenarians in the United States and to celebrate their amazing lives.

Observing National Centenarian’s Day

This holiday can be observed by visiting someone who is 100 years of age or older and spending some time with them. Centenarians have a wealth of information on history and culture — all just waiting to be tapped by someone talking to them. While celebrating this holiday, people should be sure to use the hashtag #NationalCentenariansDay on social media.