National Teddy Bear Day
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Overview
National Teddy Bear Day, observed annually on September 9th, is a heartwarming occasion dedicated to celebrating the beloved stuffed animal that has brought comfort and companionship to generations worldwide. It's a day to appreciate the history of the teddy bear, its enduring appeal, and the special place it holds in the hearts of children and adults alike, often marked by playing with bears, sharing stories, or even acquiring new ones.
Origin and story
The teddy bear was named after U.S. President Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt after a political cartoon depicted him refusing to shoot a bear cub during a 1902 hunting trip.
The concept of the teddy bear emerged almost simultaneously in the United States by Morris Michtom and in Germany by the Steiff company, designed by Richard Steiff.
Quick facts
- DateSeptember 9
- TypeCultural / community observance
- Great forFriends, Families, Classrooms, Teams
Also on this date
Ways to celebrate
The teddy bear exists because a president refused to take a cheap shot — not because anyone set out to invent a toy.
Know what actually happened in Mississippi
During a November 1902 bear hunt in Mississippi, guide Holt Collier and the hunting party cornered and tied an exhausted bear to a tree so President Theodore Roosevelt could shoot it — Roosevelt refused, considering it a violation of fair hunting, and the moment was captured in a Washington Post cartoon by Clifford Berryman days later.
Meet the toy makers who capitalized on the story
Inspired by the cartoon, New York shopkeepers Morris and Rose Michtom created a stuffed bear and asked Roosevelt's permission to call it "Teddy's Bear" — he agreed, and the Michtoms went on to found the Ideal Novelty and Toy Company in 1907.
Read the fuller history
Helpful resources:
Did you know?
Around the same time, on the other side of the Atlantic, German company Steiff independently developed a jointed stuffed bear — the design that became the template most teddy bears still follow today.
Fun facts
- The teddy bear was named after U.S. President Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt after a political cartoon depicted him refusing to shoot a bear cub during a 1902 hunting trip.
- The concept of the teddy bear emerged almost simultaneously in the United States by Morris Michtom and in Germany by the Steiff company, designed by Richard Steiff.
- Early teddy bears were often made from mohair plush, filled with excelsior (wood wool), and featured fully jointed limbs.
Sources and attribution
The Story of the Teddy Bear (National Park Service)
External links may lead to third-party websites.
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FAQ
- When is National Teddy Bear Day?
- It is observed on September 9 each year.
- What is National Teddy Bear Day?
- National Teddy Bear Day, observed annually on September 9th, is a heartwarming occasion dedicated to celebrating the beloved stuffed animal that has brought comfort and companionship to generations worldwide. It's a day to appreciate the history of the teddy bear, its enduring appeal, and the special place it holds in the hearts of children and adults alike, often marked by playing with bears, sharing stories, or even acquiring new ones.
- How do people celebrate National Teddy Bear Day?
- Snuggle a teddy bear and consider its 1902 origin — President Theodore Roosevelt's refusal to shoot a tied, exhausted bear inspired New York shopkeepers to create and name the first 'Teddy's Bear.'
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