Celebrated on November 14th
Did you know: It all began when Theodore Roosevelt was on a bear hunting trip near Onward, Mississippi on November 14, 1902 where Roosevelt refused to shoot the bear even though he was a big game hunter. Clifford Berryman, a political cartoonist, read about this trip and decided to lightheartedly satirize the president's refusal to shoot the bear. Berryman's cartoon appeared in the Washington Post on November 16, 1902. Morris Michtom, a Brooklyn candy shop owner, saw the cartoon and had an idea. He and his wife Rose also made stuffed animals, and Michtom decided to create a stuffed toy bear and dedicate it to the president who refused to shoot a bear. He called it 'Teddy's Bear'. After receiving Roosevelt's permission to use his name, Michtom mass produced the toy bears which were so popular that he soon founded the Ideal Toy Company. To this day the Teddy Bear has worldwide popularity and its origin can be traced back to Theodore's fateful hunting trip in 1902.
Source: The National Park ServiceDid you know: Brighten the smile of a child in need by donating gently used stuffed animals to charity. At DonationTown.org, within minutes you can locate an organization in your area that will put your kids’ gently used stuffed animals and other children’s toys in the hands of those who are less fortunate. Donate stuffed animals and other children’s toys that can accompany a little one in need through all his days and nights.
Source: DonationTownDid you know: Do you know what to call a person who is fond of or loves collecting teddy bears? – Arctophile, which combines the Greek words arctos (bear) and philos (loving/fond of)
Source: Big Wire