Left-Handers Day

Not many people know that August 13th is Left-Handers Day but this international holiday is celebrated all over the world. Keep reading to find out how Left-Handers Day became an official holiday and how you can celebrate it.

How It Began

August 13, 2007 will be the 31st Annual International Left-Handers Day. An organization called Lefthanders International first declared this holiday on Friday, August 13, 1976. They opened a business the same day that sold left-handed products for over 20 years before going out of business about ten years ago. They also published a magazine to clear up myths about left-handers to let them know that they're all right, er, left.

How to Celebrate

This holiday is getting more and more popular. A good way to celebrate Left-Handers Day, even if you aren't left-handed, is to pay tribute to a famous left-handed artist, entertainer, author or anyone else left-handed you know. Left-handers are usually the butt of more than a few jokes so doing something nice for your left-handed peeps will let them know you care. You could buy them a fun gift like left-handed scissors, a left-handers coffee mug or maybe a left-handed mouse for their computer! There are also ecards available to send to the special lefty in your life.

Did U Know?

Left-handers are also called southpaws. Some people believe this term was originally a reference to left-handed pitchers in baseball.

Some famous left-handed celebrities include Prince William, Demi Moore, Tom Cruise, Queen Elizabeth II, Adam Brody and Dakota Fanning!

Australians sometimes call left-handers Molly-Dookers.

Coffee mugs with pictures and/or text are usually for a right-handed pick-up.

The right hand is used for shaking hands, saluting, making the sign of the cross and swearing on the Bible.

Almost 15 percent of the population are lefties. However, very few are completely left-handed. Many left-handers golf orbat right-handed. On the other hand, there are a lot of righties who can't do much of anything with their left hand.

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Read more: Behind the Holiday