National Hug a Bear Day is celebrated annually on November 7th. And despite being a little-known awareness day, it is fun and significant in a number of ways.
We thought we could present some fun facts related to this event as well as a brief history behind the occasion.
Brief History of the National “Hug a Bear” Day
The “bear” in “Hug a Bear Day” actually refers to Teddy bears. “Teddy” bears are named after the 26th President of the United States, Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt, who served as President from 1901 to 1909.
Theodore Roosevelt’s association with bears is based on a famous story from 1902 of him sparing the life of one during a hunting expedition. This story was featured as a cartoon in the Washington Post, which inspired two New York City storeowners to create the first “Teddy” bear toy.
The exact origin of Hug a Bear Day, as in its date and founder, is unknown, though the holiday is practiced primarily in the United States and United Kingdom. The purpose of Hug a Bear Day isn’t as much an acknowledgement of bears as it is promoting the benefits of hugging.
Fun Facts about Teddy Bears
- One way to celebrate Hug a Bear Day is to hug your Teddy bear. Another way to celebrate Hug a Bear Day is to buy or use someone else’s Teddy bear and hug it.
- A third way to celebrate Hug a Bear Day is to give “bear hugs” to friends and family.
- Hug a Bear also offers a good opportunity to give someone a Teddy bear as a gift. Teddy bears are known for their comforting effect.
- Some people publicly display their Teddy bears on this day.
- Practitioners of the holiday are also encouraged to acknowledge other stuffed animal toys, such as rabbits or dogs.
- Charity is encouraged by some organizations on Hug a Bear Day.
- The mythology behind Teddy bears is that they defend children while they sleep from night monsters.
- Some schools encourage their students to bring their Teddy bears to classes on Hug a Bear Day.
- Teddy bears can be custom made via “Build-a-Bear” workshops.
- Stuffed animal toys are said to date back to ancient Egypt.
- Evidence linking ancient Egypt to the first stuffed animal toys are found in tomb paintings.
- The modern incarnation of stuffed animal toys dates back to the 1830s.
- The first modern incarnations of stuffed animal toys were handmade and crude by today’s standards.
- Stuffed animals toys didn’t become popular in the United States until 1906 due to the Teddy bear.
- Some adult toy collectors also enjoy amassing collections of Teddy bears.
- Many adults still have the same Teddy bears from their childhood.
- Some people actually dress as teddy bears on Hug a Bear Day.
- Teddy bears are amongst the most popular children’s toys in the world.
- People who don’t own Teddy bears are encouraged to purchase one on Hug a Bear Day.
- People are also encouraged to visit real life bears in zoos and animal sanctuaries on Hug a Bear Day.
- The official hashtag for Hug a Bear Day is #HugABearDay.
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