March 9 - National Barbie® Day

Happy National Barbie® Day! On March 9th, today celebrates an iconic toy that premiered on this day in 1959. Barbie debuted at the American International Toy Fair in New York City, New York. 

  

March 9th, 1959 also celebrates the official birthday of Barbie®. 

Barbie’s full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts, and American businesswoman and inventor Ruth Handler created the fashion doll. 

The doll had been named after Ruth's and her husband Elliott's daughter. Both of her parents were co-founders of the American multinational toy manufacturing and entertainment company Mattel®. 

While toymakers mass-produced toys for years, before Barbie®, none of them had adult features. 

Barbie’s adult features made the toy a first of its kind. Interestingly, the marketing strategy for Barbie® extensively relied on television advertising.  

  

For example, Barbie® was the sole sponsor of the Mickey Mouse Club, marketing directly to children. 

It was a unique approach for the time. Estimates place over one billion Barbie® dolls have been sold worldwide in over one hundred and fifty countries! 

  

However, many detractors often criticize Barbie® for being an unattainable ideal of a woman. While her figure alone is unrealistic, over the years, Barbie® evolved both in style and shape. 

  

In 1961, Mattel® introduced Ken Carson as the boyfriend of Barbie®. 

  

In 1998, the Toy Hall of Fame inducted Barbie® into its hallowed halls. The toy joined hundreds of other famous toys, some of which National Day Calendar® celebrates throughout the year. Some of those include the Duncan® yoyo, chess, and Radio Flyer® wagon.  

  

In 2019, the Barbie® brand honored pioneering women across several eras, as well. The modern Barbie® offers positive role models in business, science, education, and more. And Barbie® keeps changing with the times as well. 

  

FUN FACT: 

  

German super-fan Bettina Dorfmann has an extensive record-breaking collection of over 15,000 different Barbie® dolls! 

Dorfmann received her first doll back in 1966 when she was five years old. However, it wasn’t Barbie®, it was Midge, the best friend of Barbie®. Dorfmann has only been collecting seriously since 1993. 

  

HOW TO OBSERVE 

  

Be sure to join in the celebration with fans all over the world. While you’re at it, be sure to invite friends and family to join you, too. 

• 
  • Visit the largest Barbie® Museum in Montreal, Québec, Canada  
• • Explore the National Toy Hall of Fame® in Rochester, New York 
• • Discover vintage barbies tucked away in a closet, attic, or basement – they may be worth something. 
• • Introduce a Barbie® doll to a new generation. 
• • Read Dream Doll: The Ruth Handler Story (1994) by Jacqueline Shannon. 
• • Throw Barbie® a birthday party with all her friends. 
• • Share your favorite Barbie® doll and accessories. 

Use #NationalBarbieDay to post on social media. 

HISTORY 

National Barbie® Day commemorates the day the Barbie® doll made its debut in 1959. However, National Day Calendar® has not identified the origins of the first celebrations. 

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