Many left-handers’ struggles began even before they were old enough to know they were different.
They were sitting behind a desk that didn’t feel right and wondering why their notebooks and palms had so many ink stains.
Even the very act of writing was uncomfortable as spiral-bound notebooks dug into their palm.
It’s estimated that about one in 10 people are left-handed.
Living as a minority in a world that just isn’t designed for you is challenging. Add to all that the discrimination they face, and it gets exhausting.
International Lefthanders Day, which comes up on August 13 every year, celebrates left-handedness while highlighting these challenges.
Keep reading to learn how this holiday began and get tips on how to join the celebration. Plus, you’ll learn new fun facts about left-handed people.
History of International Lefthanders Day
Left-handed people have been facing discrimination for a long time. Back in the Middle Ages, they were called evil and often accused of witchcraft.
Over time, attitudes towards lefties began to change, but their struggles were far from over.
If you’re right-handed, you might not realize how much the world is built to make you comfortable.
Most products are made with only right-handed people in mind. So, left-handed people struggle to use scissors, can openers, and school desks.
Imagine for a moment what it’s like to perform everyday tasks with your non-dominant hand. It doesn’t sound so comfortable, right?
Yet many left-handed people have no choice but to make this change just to fit in.
For these reasons and more, Dean R. Campbell began International Lefthanders Day 48 years ago on August 13, 1976.
It quickly became an annual celebration of the uniqueness of being left-handed. Additionally, this celebration helped raise awareness about the challenges left-handed people face.
In 1990, 14 years after the first Lefthanders Day, Campbell formed the Lefthanders Club. Two years after its formation, the club officially endorsed the International Left Lefthanders Day celebrations.
How to celebrate International Lefthanders Day
Spread the word online.
International Lefthanders Day is the perfect day to talk about the experience of being left-handed.
If you’re not left-handed, you can do some research or lend your voice by sharing articles like this and information about International Lefthanders Day on social media.
Play the lefthanders game.
For lefties, this game is a breeze. For everyone else, the rules to this game are still simple: retire your right hand for a day and let your left hand do all the work.
The goal of this game is to give righties a glimpse of how left-handed people feel when they are forced to use their right hands every day.
Advocate for left-handed products.
Thankfully, you can now find products made for left-handed people in stores. Ask your workplace or school to provide modified notebooks, scissors, computer mice, and desks for left-handed people.
This is just one step in helping them feel more comfortable in a largely right-handed world.
International Lefthanders Day FAQ
Is being left-handed genetic?
Left-handedness can run in families, and multiple genes influence it. So, if both your parents are left-handed, you are about 26% likely to be left-handed too.
However, a child’s environment also contributes to determining their dominant hand.
Are there any advantages to being left-handed?
Left-handed people are considered better boxers, tennis players, and pitchers in baseball.
One reason could be that they typically train to use both hands, unlike their right-handed opponents.
Do left-handed people prefer specific jobs?
Researchers have observed that more left-handed people have careers as lawyers or architects.
On the other hand, they’re less likely to become mathematicians, orthopedic surgeons, or librarians.
Are left-handed people poor drivers?
Contrary to popular opinion, left-handed people aren’t entirely bad behind the wheel.
They are more likely to pass their driver’s exam on the first attempt. On the flip side, they may also get more speeding tickets or have a higher chance of being in serious accidents.
5 Facts About Left-Handed People
It’s more common for left-handed people to be born in July or August.
The US has had eight left-handed presidents over the years: James A. Garfield, Herbert Hoover, Harry S. Truman, Gerald R. Ford, Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Obama.
Watch out! Lefties are better fighters. They’ll hit you with a mean left hook when you least expect it and can also use their right hands.
Left-handedness is twice as likely, at around 21%, among twins than in the general population.
Prince William of the United Kingdom is left-handed, much like King George VI and Queen Victoria.
While society has generally become more accepting of lefthanders, they still face many challenges.
That’s just one of the many reasons why celebrating International Lefthanders Day is so important, though!
This celebration allows us to appreciate the uniqueness of left-handed people while shedding light on their challenges.
By doing so, we all join hands in creating a more inclusive world for them.
