National Centenarian’s Day

National Centenarian’s Day is dedicated to people who have lived to be 100 years old. On this day, everyone can appreciate the rich history and wisdom of people of a respectable age, who are always happy to share their stories. On September 22, listen to their experiences and be inspired—a whole century has passed before their eyes.

History

Life expectancy is gradually increasing, and there are more people who reach their centennial anniversary. According to UN statistics, there are about 570,000 centenarians on the planet. Most of them live in Japan, and by 2050, the number is expected to reach approximately 275,000. People who survived the Great Depression and both world wars deserve respect and reverence. They can share memories about silent films, the invention of television and airplanes, and the first flight into space.

Interesting Facts

• In some cultures, it is customary to give gifts to those over 100 years old, and they are featured in the news.
• The absolute record for longevity is 122 years.
• Only one out of 1,000 centenarians reach the age of 110; today there are no more than 450 such people in the world.
• The first officially confirmed long-liver is the Dutchman Geert Adriaans Boomgaard, who was born in 1788 and died in 1899.

How to Take Part

Visit a centenarian and take the time to listen to their fascinating stories. These life lessons are priceless. Gather collections related to long-livers—these can be paintings, books, or folklore. People of respectable age are usually happy to share such information. Older people are not necessarily helpless or weak. If possible, arrange a celebration for them.

When is National Centenarian’s Day in 2025?

National Centenarian’s Day is observed on September 22 each year.

Observations