National American Teddy Bear Day

Do you love teddy bears? Ahead of National American Teddy Bear Day, on November 14th, why not join in the celebration of these cute and iconic toys?

History

Teddy bears got their name from Theodore Roosevelt, who was the President of the United States in 1902. He was out hunting with his friends near the Mississippi River when they caught a small bear cub. Roosevelt refused to kill it and let it go, thus sparking the story of his kindness to animals – and the name Teddy Bear.

Margaret Steiff is another person often attributed to the development of teddy bears. She and her nephew visited a zoo, and he was so taken with the bears that she decided to make him a stuffed one as a gift. Morris Michtom then took it one step further and, with Roosevelt’s permission, began to sell teddy bears to the public in 1903.

National American Teddy Bear Day is full of love, care, and delight. Teddy bears bring joy to our lives and are appropriate for any holiday. Many will agree that the home feels much more comfortable with the presence of these plush friends.

Interesting facts

• The first song about teddy bears was written in 1907, and 80 more have been released since.
• There are about 20 museums dedicated to toys around the world.
• Annual bear exhibitions have been held in Germany since 1994.
• The most expensive teddy bear was sold for $90,000 in 1994, made from mohair.

How to take part

Get a new plush friend and add to your collection. You can also give a teddy bear to your loved ones. Finally, make sure you look after your teddies so they look like new!

When is National American Teddy Bear Day in 2024?

National American Teddy Bear Day is observed on November 14 each year.

Observations