International Left Handers Day is an
international day observed annually on
August 13 to celebrate the uniqueness and differences of
left-handed individuals. The day was first observed in 1976 by Dean R. Campbell founder of the Left-handers Club.
This day was established to raise awareness about the challenges and experiences faced by left-handed individuals in a predominantly right-handed world.
International Lefthanders Day was created to celebrate sinistrality and
raise awareness of the advantages and
disadvantages of being left-handed in a predominantly
right-handed world. It celebrates left-handed people's uniqueness and differences, a subset of humanity comprising
seven to ten percent of the world's population.[3] The day also spreads awareness on issues faced by
left-handers, e.g. the importance of the special needs for left-handed children, and the likelihood for left-handers to develop
schizophrenia.[4][5]
Several media outlets and commercial associations have made one-off posts and compilations of accomplished left-handed people in recognition of the holiday.[6][7]
Further reading
Flatt, Adrian (October 1999).
"The sinister handed". FRCS BUMC Proceedings. 12 (4): 267–271. Archived from
the original on 22 November 2010. Retrieved 5 March 2014.
^A 1983 newspaper feature cites that year's observance as the "seventh annual": Waga, Phil. "In the World of Lefties, Nothing Seems Right." Yonkers (NY) Herald-Statesmen, 12 August 1983.