Left-handed people experience life differently than most, but how did this quirk of nature become an international holiday, and why are some of the most influential people left-handed?
On August 13, people celebrate the left-handed, according to National Today. The first celebration occurred in 1975 by Dean R. Campbell, founder of Lefthanders International, Inc 1976. Here’s a day for all left-handers to celebrate what makes them different, so write with your left, type with your left, grab your coffee mug with your left and raise a toast to all left-handers out there.
Famous Left-Handers In History
Iconic public figures such as Presidents Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama were all left-handed, an iconic trait extending past Presidents all the way to musicians such as Paul McCartney and Jimi Hendrix. Celebrities Oprah Winfrey, actor Julia Roberts, and vocalist Lady Gaga were all left-handed. Sports is no stranger to left-handers either, with legendary southpaws Babe Ruth and Sandy Koufax using their left-hand advantage in baseball. Some of the most influential people in history were/are left-handed, like Mother Teresa, Barack Obama, Walt Disney, Bill Gates, Charlie Chaplin, Mark Zuckerberg, and Albert Einstein, for example.
The Origin And History Of Left-Handers Day
We live in a world full of right-handed people. For every ten people, nine are right-handed, according to the American Psychological Association. International Left-Handers Day started to raise awareness of the daily struggles of left-handed people. First founded and celebrated every year since 1976, when Dean R. Campbell created Lefthanders International Inc.
“You Know Who’s Got Hands, The Devil”
During the 1600s, left-handed people were associated with the devil and all that is evil. Even now, left-handed people face struggles, even if it is not like the middle-age times. Such as accusations of witchcraft and the devil, according to Time Magazine.
The Spirit Of Campbell
In 1990, the Left-Handers Club was founded to keep members updated on the developments, working with manufacturers to better-catered designs to be used by left-handed people. The club even provides help and assistance for those who need it, continuously researching left-handedness and items that best suit left-handed people. Over the years, their numbers have increased with participants worldwide. This club is a force to be reckoned with, as they have been pressuring manufacturers to keep them in mind when designing products. In the spirit of Campbell, the Left-Handers Club launched International Left-Handers day as a part of their organization on August 13, 1992. With the goal of bringing awareness to the advantages and disadvantages left-handed people had. Now, this holiday is celebrated worldwide, with 20 regional events taking place in the U.K annually, commemorating the day with sports matches and celebrations.
Left-Handed Timeline
- 1955 | Bill Gates is born, becoming the wealthiest left-handed person in the world.
- 1976 | Lefthanders International designates August 13 as International Lefthanders Day.
- 1992 | The Left-Handers Club’s goal was to “increase public awareness of the advantages and disadvantages of being left-handed.
- 2009 | President Barack Obama signs three documents, quipping “I’m a lefty. Get used to it.“
Left-Handed Statistics, according to National Today
12% – is The percentage of the world that is left-handed.
1860 – is the year left-handed people were associated with the devil.
0.5% – is the percentage of guitarists who play left-handed.
11x – is the higher likelihood for left-handers to suffer from allergies.
94%- is the percentage of left-handers with bilateral limb movements.
4–5 months– is the time it takes for left-handers to reach puberty later than their peers.
23% – is the percentage of more men than women who are left-handed.
70% – is the percent of left-handed people having left-brain dominance in language control.
40% – is the percentage of the current top tennis players who are lefties.
International Left-Handers Day has created a movement not only to bring awareness but also to change, the way we manufacture, the way we celebrate, and the way we understand left-handers and their daily struggles.
