- Categories:
- Special Interest
- Tags:
- AppreciationChildrenHobby
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- Every September 9
- Holiday emoji:
- 🐻
Teddy Bear Day arrives every September 9, inviting everyone to embrace the comfort and joy these beloved stuffed animals bring. From childhood confidantes to nostalgic keepsakes, teddy bears hold a special place in our hearts. Dust off your favorite bear, share a story, or gift a new friend to someone special.
Want to sponsor Teddy Bear Day? Learn how
History of Teddy Bear Day
The teddy bear was created to commemorate American President Theodore Roosevelt. On November 14, 1902, Theodore Roosevelt went on a bear hunting trip near Onward, Mississippi. Governor Andrew H. Longino of Mississippi had invited him. Unlike some of the other hunters in the party, Roosevelt had not been able to shoot a single bear.
Roosevelt’s aides trapped and tied a black bear to a willow tree, commanded by Holt Collier, a born slave, and former Confederate cavalryman. They summoned Roosevelt and asked him to shoot it. Roosevelt declined to shoot the bear because he thought it was highly unsportsmanlike. The word of this soon traveled across the country via newspaper stories. The stories detailed the president’s refusal to shoot a bear. It wasn’t just any president, either; it was Theodore Roosevelt, the big game hunter.
Clifford Berryman, a political cartoonist, saw the report and chose to parody the president’s unwillingness to shoot the bear in a funny manner. On November 16, 1902, Berryman’s cartoon ran in the “Washington Post.” Morris Michtom, the proprietor of a Brooklyn candy shop, saw the cartoon and had an idea. He and his wife Rose also produced stuffed animals, and Michtom decided to make a plush toy bear for the president who refused to shoot a bear. He dubbed it ‘Teddy’s Bear.’
Michtom mass manufactured the toy bears after obtaining Roosevelt’s permission to use his name, which was so successful that he soon created the Ideal Toy Company. Within a few years, the selling of teddy bears had grown so rapidly that he established a soft toy firm to manufacture them.
Around the same period, a German firm called Steiff began manufacturing teddy bears with movable joints. Every year, millions of teddies are marketed and given as presents, or are manufactured to commemorate specific events or occasions. And it feels that their appeal is unlikely to be dismissed very soon.
Teddy Bear Day timeline
In the Washington Post, Clifford Berryman's cartoon "Drawing the Line in Mississippi" shows a purported event in which President Theodore Roosevelt went on a bear-hunting excursion in Mississippi.
Morris and Rose Michtom of Brooklyn, New York, named a plush bear "Teddy's Bear" in recognition of Roosevelt's deeds.
Steiff debuts his teddy bear version at the Leipzig Toy Fair.
Judy Sparrow opens the world's first teddy bear museum in Petersfield, Hampshire, England.
Teddy Bear Day FAQs
When is Teddy Bear Day?
Teddy Bear Day 2026 falls on Wednesday, September 9, a perfect mid-week opportunity to appreciate your cuddly companions. It’s a day to reflect on the comfort and joy these beloved stuffed animals bring to our lives.
How many teddy bears are sold each year?
While exact figures fluctuate, the global market for plush toys, including teddy bears, is estimated to be worth billions of dollars annually. Millions of teddy bears find new homes each year, continuing their legacy as a top-selling toy category.
What is the most expensive teddy bear?
The most expensive teddy bear ever sold was a Steiff ‘Louis Vuitton’ bear, which fetched $2.1 million at auction in 2000. This unique bear was dressed in Louis Vuitton attire and showcased the pinnacle of luxury toy craftsmanship.
Who invented the teddy bear?
The invention of the teddy bear is often attributed to two independent creators in 1902: Morris Michtom in the United States and Richard Steiff in Germany. Michtom was inspired by President Theodore Roosevelt’s refusal to shoot a bear cub, while Steiff’s design was based on sketches by his aunt Margarete Steiff.
How To Celebrate Teddy Bear Day
Giving a teddy bear to someone you love
You can celebrate this day by sharing and showing your affection to those close to you by giving them teddy bears as gifts.
Pickup your old favorite teddy and share photos online
Grab your favorite childhood teddy bear and photograph it. Share the pics on social media and invite your friends, family members, and followers to share photos of their childhood teddy bears. Even if they don't have any images of their bear, individuals would appreciate telling anecdotes about how they used to take their teddy bear everywhere with them.
Buy yourself a new awesome teddy bear
Another enjoyable way to spend this day is to go out and purchase a new teddy bear. Even as an adult, having a teddy bear in your home is endearing and comfortable. As time has passed, a slew of new businesses has emerged that allows you to buy your own teddy bear.
5 Facts About Teddy Bears You Might Not Know
America invented it
Was invented in honor of President Theodore Roosevelt, a former president of the United States of America.
It has the world's smallest stitched type
The world's smallest embroidered teddy bear is only 0.29 inches tall! Cheryl Moss, a South African artist noted for her microscopic work, made it.
It is now made with alpaca pelt
Today, you can buy teddy bears manufactured from alpaca pelt. This type of teddy bear will be both soft and pricey!
It has a dedicated magazine
There is a magazine devoted entirely to teddy bears. 'Teddy Bear and Friends' is the title of this magazine. It has approximately 40,000 subscribers.
It is made from goat’s hair
Original teddies were most likely made of mohair fur, which comes from goats. Before being utilized to manufacture hand-made bears, the goat's hair is shorn and combed.
Why We Love Teddy Bears
They are soft and cuddly
The major reason people cherish teddy bears is that they can be your softest buddies. Without a doubt, you can hug them for as long as you like and enjoy the nicest 'cuddly' feeling ever. Their silky furs and smooth textures instantly make you feel better and cheer you up.
They make for the best gifts ever
If you're not sure what to get your friend/sibling/partner for any occasion, a teddy bear is a safe bet. Though the stereotype is that a teddy bear is given to a female, it can work well for a boy, especially when you want to apologize for any wrongdoing. Give it a go!
They listen
Teddy Bears are the most dependable partners when it comes to listening to all of your worries and concerns. The nicest feature of this toy is its adorable face, which urges you to establish a conversation with it, and once you do, the toy will never protest about being asked to stop. Cute as a button, indeed! What does it matter if people think you're insane for talking to a toy?
Teddy Bear Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | September 9 | Wednesday |
| 2027 | September 9 | Thursday |
| 2028 | September 9 | Saturday |
| 2029 | September 9 | Sunday |
| 2030 | September 9 | Monday |
