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Lefthanders Day celebrates the distinctiveness of left-handed individuals every August 13. This global observance highlights the unique traits and contributions of the approximately 10% of the population who are left-dominant. Join in by trying a left-handed activity, sharing fun facts, or simply appreciating the southpaws in your life.
Want to sponsor Lefthanders Day? Learn how
Expected Lefthanders Day Deals
While specific 2027 promotions are yet to be announced, Lefthanders Day often sees retailers offering discounts on left-handed products and ergonomic tools. Look for special offers from brands like Lefty’s San Francisco, a specialty store for left-handed items, or general office supply stores like Staples and Office Depot. Tech companies such as Logitech and Microsoft might feature sales on customizable mice and keyboards. Even kitchenware brands like OXO, known for their universal design, could highlight products that work well for lefties. Keep an eye out for stationery brands like Stabilo and Pilot Pen, which produce quick-drying inks and ergonomic pens designed to prevent smudging. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as August 13 approaches.
Platform Guide for Lefthanders Day
TikTok
Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #LefthandersDay. Film a humorous skit about the challenges of being left-handed in a right-handed world.
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #LefthandersDay. Share photos of your favorite left-handed celebrity or an invention that makes life easier for lefties.
X/Twitter
Mention @NatlToday and use #LefthandersDay. Post a fun fact about left-handedness or ask your followers to share their experiences as a southpaw.
Lefthanders Day Hero
Dean R. Campbell
History of Lefthanders Day
In a world dominated by right-handers, Lefthanders Day on August 13 celebrates lefties and raises awareness on the issues faced by left-handers in their daily lives. The day was first observed by the founder of Lefthanders International, Inc. — Dean R. Campbell, in 1976. and has been celebrated every year since. From the 1600s, when left-handed people were thought of as being in cahoots with the devil, to the present day, they continue to face difficulties and challenges in accomplishing tasks.
The Left-Handers Club was founded in 1990 with the mission statement to keep members up to date with developments and to serve as a bridge between the views of left-handers and manufacturers. The club also provides help and assistance to those who require it, and they continuously conduct research on left-handedness and new items that can offer lefties increased ease of use. The number of members has been increasing with participants from all over the world since the club’s formation. As of now, the club is highly regarded and revered as a pressure group representing all left-handers.
Continuing the tradition created by Campbell, the Left-Handers Club launched International Lefthanders Day as a part of their organization on August 13, 1992. The aim was to create awareness of the advantages and disadvantages of left-handedness. The holiday is now celebrated worldwide, with 20 regional events taking place in the U.K. alone to commemorate the day, including sports matches and parties. Some of the greatest people in history were/are left-handed, like Mother Teresa, Barack Obama, Walt Disney, Bill Gates, Charlie Chaplin, Mark Zuckerberg, and Albert Einstein, to name a few.
Lefthanders Day timeline
Bill Gates is born, who goes on to become the world’s richest left-handed person.
Lefthanders International designates August 13 as International Lefthanders Day.
The Left-Handers Club is underway to "increase public awareness of the advantages and disadvantages of being left-handed."
Newly-inaugurated President Barack Obama signs three documents, quipping "I'm a lefty. Get used to it."
Traditions of the Day
Right-handers also take part in the day’s celebrations, just as much as left-handed people, and try their best to cater to the requirements of lefties. It’s the little things like purchasing scissors and kitchen items that are easier for lefties to use and making adjustments to handles and knobs that make life easier and increases convenience for left-handers.
Left-handers explain their needs and the difficulties they face to peers and educate them on the importance of creating items that serve them better. There are even some left-handed children who are bullied, so people are encouraged to recognize that being a leftie is a normal and natural occurrence.
By The Numbers
12% – the percentage of the world that is left-handed.
1860 – the year when left-handed people were essentially seen as being in a league with the devil.
0.5% – the percentage of guitarists who play left-handed.
11 times – the higher likelihood for left-handers to suffer from allergies.
94% – the percentage of left-handers with bilateral limb movements.
4–5 months – the time it takes for left-handers to reach puberty later than their peers.
23% – the percentage of more men than women who are left-handed.
70% – the percentage of left-handed people who have left-brain dominance when it comes to language control.
40% – the percentage of the current top tennis players who are lefties.
Lefthanders Day FAQs
When is Lefthanders Day?
Lefthanders Day 2026 falls on a Thursday, August 13. This annual observance celebrates the unique traits and challenges of left-handed individuals worldwide.
How common is being left-handed?
Globally, approximately 10-12% of the population is left-handed, though this figure can vary slightly by region and demographic. Studies suggest a complex interplay of genetics and environment.
What are some challenges faced by left-handers?
Left-handers often navigate a world designed for right-handers, encountering difficulties with everyday items like scissors, can openers, and certain musical instruments. This can lead to minor inconveniences.
Are there famous left-handed people?
Yes, many prominent figures across history and modern culture have been left-handed. This includes U.S. Presidents Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, and Ronald Reagan, as well as musicians like Paul McCartney.
Lefthanders Day Activities
Be more social
Spread the word about this special lefty day. Or, connect with any of the many left-handers social groups on your favorite social media sites. Leftys are everywhere!
Educate a right-hander
If you're left-handed, walk a right-handed person through a typical activity to make them aware of some of the difficulties faced by left-handed people.
Throw a party!
Invite all your left-handed friends over and share some stories about what it was like for them to grow up in a world made for righties.
5 Lefty Facts To Make Righties Go, "Hmmm"
They're the best hitters in baseball
As listed on the Baseball Reference website, 14 of the top 20 highest career batting averages in Major League Baseball belong to left-handed hitters.
Lefties and schizophrenia
A study published by Yale researchers in 2013 claimed that people with psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia are more likely to be left-handed than those with depression.
The notion of left-handedness as wrong is embedded in our language
For example, the adjective "sinister" comes from the Latin "sinestra" or "left hand."
They're restless sleepers
Left-handed people may experience so-called periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD), meaning they may kick their arms and legs while asleep.
We all use the same hemispheres.
According to neuroscientists, about 98 percent of right-handers are left-brained — but so are about 70 percent of left-handers!
Why We Love Lefthanders Day
It wasn't always cool to be left-handed
Educators and physicians used to advocate "retraining" left-handed children to use their right hands. Some of the methods they used in these "retraining" methods were cruel, such as tying children's left hands down so they couldn't move them.
Being a lefty can be inconvenient
Those of us who are right-handed may not think much about the difficulties faced by left-handed people. But think about it: most things are designed with right-handed people in mind, everything from school desks to a pair of scissors.
There are fewer lefties than righties in the world
Estimates vary, but it's generally accepted that between 7 percent and 10 percent of people are naturally left-handed. That's about 760 million people – enough for one heck of a party!
Social Media Tips for Lefthanders Day
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