Soft, huggable and comforting, the teddy bear is one of the most beloved toys ever made. National Teddy Bear Day, on September 9, celebrates this classic companion, which has comforted children and adults for more than a century. Many people still have a childhood teddy bear tucked away, full of memories. The bear's name comes from a famous story about a U.S. president.
History of National Teddy Bear Day
In November 1902, President Theodore Roosevelt went on a bear hunt in Mississippi. His hosts cornered and tied up an exhausted black bear and invited him to shoot it, but Roosevelt refused, considering it unsportsmanlike. A cartoon by Clifford Berryman in The Washington Post illustrated the event, and the story spread across the country.
Inspired by the cartoon, Morris Michtom, a candy shop owner in Brooklyn, and his wife, Rose, made a stuffed bear and displayed it in their shop window as 'Teddy's bear'. It was a hit, and the Michtoms went on to found the Ideal Novelty and Toy Company. Around the same time, the Steiff company in Germany, led by Margarete Steiff and her nephew Richard, created a jointed stuffed bear that was shown at the Leipzig Toy Fair in 1903. American buyers ordered thousands.
Teddy bears became a craze in the early 1900s and have remained popular ever since. Some antique teddy bears are now valuable collectibles. Who created National Teddy Bear Day is not documented.
Why National Teddy Bear Day Matters
Teddy bears provide comfort and security, especially for young children. Many hospitals, police departments and fire departments give teddy bears to children in stressful situations.
The teddy bear's story connects a beloved toy to American history and a president known for conservation.
Teddy bears also carry sentimental value, often passed down through families or kept as reminders of childhood. Celebrating them is a lighthearted way to connect generations.
How to Celebrate National Teddy Bear Day
- Hug your teddy: bring out a childhood bear.
- Have a teddy bear picnic: invite stuffed animals to a snack party.
- Donate a bear: give new teddy bears to hospitals or shelters.
- Learn the history: read about Theodore Roosevelt's 1902 hunting trip.
- Make a bear: sew or craft a simple teddy bear.
Celebrating at Work, School and Home
At work, a teddy bear drive for a children's hospital or emergency services is a meaningful way to celebrate. Employees can also share photos of childhood bears. In classrooms, students can bring a teddy bear for a picnic, write stories about their bears, measure and graph bears by size, or learn about Theodore Roosevelt. At home, families can have a teddy bear tea party, make bear-shaped pancakes, or sew a simple bear from felt. Ask grandparents about their childhood toys.
Fun Facts About National Teddy Bear Day
- The teddy bear is named after President Theodore Roosevelt.
- Clifford Berryman's 1902 cartoon inspired the toy.
- Steiff showed a jointed bear at the Leipzig Toy Fair in 1903.
National Teddy Bear Day FAQs
When is National Teddy Bear Day?
National Teddy Bear Day is September 9.
Why is it called a teddy bear?
It's named after President Theodore 'Teddy' Roosevelt.
Who made the first teddy bear?
Morris and Rose Michtom in the U.S. and the Steiff company in Germany both created early versions.
When was the teddy bear invented?
In 1902–1903.