Skip to content

The Grammy Awards, also known as the Grammys, is an annual award ceremony that pays tribute to outstanding achievement in the music industry. It’s a night filled with performances from the biggest names in music, and everyone is excited to see who will take home the coveted awards.

History of Grammy Awards Day

The awards were first held on May 4, 1959, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, and were created by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) to honor outstanding accomplishments music. The name “Grammy” was derived from the type of gramophone used to play music in the early days of recorded sound.

The creation of the popular awards ceremony was a response to the lack of recognition for recorded music in comparison to live music performances. Before the Grammys, there were no major awards specifically for recorded music, and the industry was in need of a way to acknowledge the hard work and talent of those in the field. NARAS sought to fill this gap by creating the Grammys, which would recognize and celebrate the best in recorded music, including albums, songs, and performances.

Although the first Grammy Awards ceremony was a small, invitation-only event, it quickly gained popularity and recognition, and soon became one of the most highly-anticipated and watched events in the music industry. Since its early days, the Grammys have become a major event, with a star-studded red carpet, live performances, and appearances by some of the music industry’s biggest names.

Over the years, the Grammys have evolved to reflect changes in music and to recognize a wider range of genres, which now include categories for many different types of music, including pop, rock, hip-hop, country, and more, whilst also recognizing achievements in music production, engineering, and other behind-the-scenes roles.

The Grammys have also had a significant impact on the music industry, as it has become one of the most prestigious awards for musicians to win. Being nominated or winning a Grammy can greatly boost an artist’s career, and is often considered the highest honor. The Grammys continue to be an important event for recognizing and celebrating musical talent, and it will continue to be a major event for the music industry for years to come.

Grammy Awards Day Timeline

May 4, 1959

Inception of the Grammys

The first Grammy Awards ceremony is held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, recognizing outstanding achievement in the music industry.[1]

March 16, 1971

Grammys go live

The ceremony is broadcast live on national television for the first time, making it more accessible for audiences to watch the event.[2]

February 28, 1984

Thriller night

Michael Jackson takes home a record-breaking 8 awards for his second album “Thriller”.[3]

2018

Introduction of online voting

The Grammy Awards introduces online voting, making it easier for members of the academy to vote for their favorite nominees.[4]

2021

Global music recognition

The Grammy Awards rename one of its album categories from “Best World Music” to “Best Global Music” to avoid “connotations of colonialism”.[5]

How to Celebrate Grammy Awards Day

The Grammy Awards are now usually held early in the year, and have taken place at various locations in the U.S. over the course of its history. The event is celebrated by music industry professionals, music fans, and celebrities from around the world.

The ceremony is broadcasted live on television and streamed online—making it easy for fans anywhere in the world to watch and participate in the celebration—and is also followed by an after-party where winners, nominees, and other celebrities can mingle and celebrate.

If, for some reason, your invite to the big event somehow got lost in the mail, here are some ideas about how you can celebrate from home:

Throw a Viewing Party

Invite friends and family over to watch the awards show together. You can create a fun and festive atmosphere by decorating your living room with Grammy-themed decorations, such as balloons and posters of the nominees.

Plan a menu of snacks and drinks to serve during the show, and make sure to have a voting ballot for everyone to predict the winners. At the end of the night, award a prize to the person with the most correct guesses.

Host a Grammy-themed Karaoke Night

Create a playlist of songs from Grammy-nominated artists and set up a karaoke system for your friends and family to sing along to their favorite songs.

To make it more fun, give out awards for best performance, most creative interpretation, and best overall performance. You can also create a red carpet for guests to walk on and take photos before the party starts.

Put on Some Grammy-nominated Music

Take some time to listen to the music of the nominees before the awards show. You can create a playlist of your favorite songs and share it with friends.

You can also host a listening party where you and your friends listen to the nominated albums together and discuss your favorites.

Create your own Grammy Awards

If you can’t make it to the actual awards show, create your own at home with your friends or family. You can make your own awards categories, such as “Best Party Playlist” or “Most Likely to be a Future Grammy Winner”.

Make your own trophies and even have a red carpet event and have a photo booth where you can take pictures with your loved ones, then end the night by watching the live broadcast of the Grammy Awards, and compare the results of your own awards with the official ones.

Also on ...

View all holidays

National Hot Chocolate Day

Made with creamy milk and yummy cocoa, this sugary sweet treat is delicious when enjoyed by itself, or can be a great basic recipe that can then be used to get creative with by adding unique flavors, spices and even liqueurs.

National Fun at Work Day

Creating laughter and good vibes while tackling tasks, the office can be a playground of camaraderie, where work and play intermingle.

Eat Brussel Sprouts Day

Roasted, sautéed or fried, these cruciferous veggies are loaded with vitamins and fiber, and make a tasty addition to any meal.

View all holidays

We think you may also like...

World Drummer’s Day

Maestros of rhythm, sculpting soundscapes with percussive artistry, their beats infuse life's symphony with pulse and passion.

Make Music Day

You don’t have to be a professional musician to make music. Gather together with some friends and instruments see what kinds of sounds you can come up with.

Calendar

Join the community!

Password requirements

  • At least one capital letter
  • At least one lowercase letter
  • At least one number
  • 8 or more characters

Welcome back!

Log in to get personalized recommendations, follow events and topics you love, and never miss a day again!