September 9 - National Teddy Bear Day

Happy National Teddy Bear Day! On September 9, today honors the history of one of childhood’s favorite toys.  

We have all had a special cuddly teddy as a child. Some of us still have our teddy bear from our childhood. 

No matter what kind of teddy bear you had, the day is a perfect time to celebrate your childhood friend! 

In 1902, 26th U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt refused to shoot a bear cub while hunting in Mississippi. The incident later made national news.  

On November 16, 1902, American Pulitzer Prize–winning cartoonist with The Washington Star newspaper Clifford K. Berryman published a cartoon of the event and the caricature became an instant classic. 

The Berryman cartoon of President Roosevelt and the cub inspired Russian-born New York store owner, businessman and inventor Morris Michtom.

The cartoon by Clifford Berryman's 

published in 1902 Washington Post 

inspired the Teddy bear.   

  

He later created a new toy and even had a name in mind. Michtom wrote President Roosevelt to ask permission to name the new toy a “Teddy Bear.” 

"A teddy bear does not depend on mechanics to give him the semblance of life. He is loved – and therefore, he lives." ~ Australian poet Pam Brown 

Since the advent of the Teddy Bear, a parade of famous characters followed. 

Big Bird from Sesame Street named his Teddy Bear Radar. The lasagna-loving cat celebrated on National Garfield the Cat Day armed himself with Pooky, his lovable scapegoat. 

https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/days-2/national-garfield-the-cat-day-june-19/ 

The British invasion of Teddy Bears includes Winnie-the-Pooh and Paddington. 

In 1981, the Care Bears first became greeting cards. Not long after, they launched into television and toy history. 

https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/national-winnie-the-pooh-day-january-18/ 

HOW TO OBSERVE 

Share some of your favorite Teddy Bear characters from a time gone by. Are they recent interpretations of the lovable creature? Or do you have an affinity for the classic Teddy Bear?  

Other ways to celebrate include: 

• • Giving a Teddy Bear to someone you love. 
• • Donate Teddy Bears to a local organization for children. 
• • Host a Teddy Bear tea party with your children. 
• • Download, print and color the Teddy Bear coloring page.
  
  

https://n7jmr7muhj-flywheel.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Teddy-Bear-coloring-page.pdf 

Share your memories of Teddy Bears using #NationalTeddyBearDay to post on social media. 

HISTORY 

National Day Calendar® was unable to identify the creator of National Teddy Bear Day. 

#NationalTeddyBearDay 

@Buildabear 

@FAO 

@nichecinema