Older Americans Month and Senior Citizens Day
"Loving Life, Helping Others, Supporting Communities"
History of Older Americans Month and Senior Citizens Day
In April, 1963, President John F. Kennedy met with the National Council on Senior Citizens. Their meeting was the foundation for an annual observation of May as Senior Citizens Month. Every President since has issued a formal proclamation during or before the month of May asking that the entire nation pay tribute in some way to older persons in their communities. President Jimmy Carter originated the title of Older Americans Month in his 1980 proclamation.
In 1963, only 17 million Americans were age 65 or older and about a third of them lived in poverty. Today, there are more than 36 million Americans over the age of 65, accounting for 12 percent of the total population, though only 10 percent live in poverty. The oldest of the baby boom generation began turning 60 in 2006. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that, by 2050, 87 million Americans will be age 65 or older - 21 percent of the population.
Ohio has supported statewide activities for Older Americans Month and Senior Citizens Day (the third Tuesday in May) since 1977. Each year, the Department of Aging announces a unique theme celebrating some of the many aspects of our older citizens. They are:
- 2008 Loving Life, Helping Others, Supporting Communities
- 2007 Be Your Best: Body, Mind and Spirit
- 2006 Be Healthy, Be Vibrant!
- 2005 Celebrate Long-term Living
- 2004 Aging Well, Living Well
- 2003 What We Do Makes a Difference
- 2002 America: A Community for All Ages
- 2001 Seniors in the Swing of Things
- 2000 Ohio… a Great Place to Grow Up, and a Great Place to Grow Old!
- 1999 Honor the Past, Imagine the Future: Towards a Society for All Ages
- 1998 Living Longer, Growing Stronger - A Salute to Ohio's Senior Citizens
- 1997 Celebrate a Tradition - Ohio's 20th Senior Citizen's Day
- 1996 Aging: A Lifetime Opportunity
- 1995 As Time Goes By
- 1994 Honoring Our Heritage; Framing Our Future
- 1993 Share the Journey
- 1992 In Honor of Diversity
- 1991 Ohio's Seniors: Our Brightest Stars
- 1990 A Partnership of Ages
- 1989 Caring and Sharing: Generations in Action
- 1988 A Celebration of Age
- 1987 Reach new Heights
- 1986 Unfold a Celebration
- 1985 Join the Young at Heart
- 1984 We're Celebrating Senior Citizens Day Across the Whole Bloomin' State
- 1983 Senior Citizens - Weavers of Life's Tapestry
- 1982 Senior Citizens - A Growing Voice
- 1981 Senior Citizens - Ohio's Greatest Resource
- 1980 Senior Citizens - Beautiful Ohioans
- 1979 Older Ohioans - Partners in the Community
- 1978 Older Ohioans - Up to Date in '78
- 1977 Senior Citizens in Action
Older Americans Month Home...
Ohio Department of Aging
Ted Strickland, Governor - Barbara E. Riley, Director
50 W. Broad St./9th Floor, Columbus, OH 43215
1-800-266-4346 - TTY: (614) 466-6191
The Department of Aging is an equal opportunity employer and service provider.
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