Thursday, August 13, 2020

August 13 - International Left Hander's Day


Happy International Left Hander's Day! On August 13, today recognizes any and all those individuals who have mastered using their left hand in a right-handed world. We take our hats off to you – and your sinistrality. 


Approximately ten percent of the population are southpaws. Scientists don’t know why a person develops left-handedness. But it’s more likely a child will be left-handed if one parent is a lefty as well.  


Parents of left-handed children used to force them to use their right hands. In the eyes of right-handers, the predominant use of the left hand seemed evil.  


Parents feared their communities would shun their children. While we accept left-handedness more readily than days gone by, its occurrence hasn’t increased. 


Professional American cartoonist and founder of MazeToons states that his favorite day to celebrate is International Left Hander's Day, being a lefty himself. 



Famous Lefties 


Many lefties seek to blend in because they will stand out soon enough. Their unique quality makes them feel awkward. They bump elbows or seem like a klutz.  


However, in a world designed for the right-handed, those who are other dominant adapt quite well.  


For example, eight United States Presidents were left-handed. These included 40th U.S. President Ronald Reagan, 41st U.S. President George H.W. Bush, 42nd U.S. President Bill Clinton, and 44th U.S. President Barack Obama. 


Would the Sistine Chapel and the Mona Lisa stand the test of time if Michaelangelo and Leonardo de Vinci had been right-handed? 


Uncommon Individual 


International Left Hander's Day recognizes the uncommon individual who throws, catches, writes, and uses a fork with their left-hand. They view the world just a little differently, too.  


At a restaurant, they seek out the seat that will place their dominant elbow on the outside of the booth.  


However, right-handed athletes groan a bit when the southpaw shows up as an opponent on the roster. They present a challenge right-hander aren’t always sure how to handle due to lack of practice.  


And yet, lefties square off against righties all the time. 

Don’t be shy on International Left Hander's Day. Show the world how brilliant and unique you are! 


HOW TO OBSERVE 


Take a left-handed friend to lunch or out for coffee. If you’re right-handed, try doing everything with your left hand. 


Left-handers, post photos using #lefthandersday to prove your left-handed awesomeness. 


Looking for more ways to celebrate? Well, we’ve got them! Educators, visit the National Day Calendar Classroom® for a project designed just for International Left-Hander’s Day. 


You can also download and print a left-handed coloring page by visiting the website below! 



HISTORY 


In 1992, International Left Hander's Day was founded in the United Kingdom. 


Because of the popularity of this observation in the United States, the Registrar at National Day Calendar® added the day to its list of national days. 


Use #NDCClassroom to let share your ideas with them. 


How can you acknowledge or celebrate a lefty that you know today? 


#leftHandersDay 

#NDCClassroom 

#LeftysAreAlwaysRight 

@mazetoons 

@nichecinema 

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