By Jeanni Ritchie
Today is National Teddy Bear Day! On September 9 we honor the history of one of childhood’s favorite toys. Almost all of us have had a special cuddly friend as a child. Some still have that teddy bear from childhood. Some of us, hypothetically speaking of course, could’ve reverted back to sleeping with a teddy bear after a middle-age divorce. Whether your memories are from seventy years ago or seven days ago, today is the perfect time to celebrate your cuddly pal!
#NationalTeddyBearDay
In 1902, American President Theodore Roosevelt refused to shoot a bear cub while hunting in Mississippi. The incident made national news. Clifford Berryman published a cartoon of the event in the Washington Post on November 16th, 1902, and the caricature became an instant classic.
The Berryman cartoon of Teddy Roosevelt and the cub inspired New York store owner Morris Michtom. He created a new toy and even wrote President Roosevelt to ask permission to name the new toy a “Teddy Bear.” The teddy bear was born.
Build-A-Bear Workshops
On September 9 only, Build-A-Bear Workshop will rollback prices to 1997, the year Build-A-Bear started, for one of the company’s all-time best-selling products, Lil’ Cub, to only $9. Also, in honor of National Teddy Bear Day, the philanthropic arm of the company, Build-A-Bear Foundation, will be donating more than 10,000 teddy bears to kids in need. This effort is just one part of the Foundation’s 2024 goal of providing 100,000 teddy bears to children by the end of the year.
Ways to Celebrate
•Give 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 page here: images.saymedia-
Share your memories of Teddy Bears using #NationalTeddyBearDay to post on social media or in the comments below!
Jeanni Ritchie collected stuffed animals as a child. Each furry friend had a name, backstory, hierarchy in her stuffed animal organization, and designated spot on the bed. She makes no apologies for her vivid imagination and intense need for order. She can be reached at jeanniritchie54@gmail.com.