When: annually, September 9.
It is not clear whether there is a relationship between Theodore Roosevelt and the day we know as Teddy Bear Day. This is while the teddy bear is linked to Theodore Roosevelt. Every year on 9 September, we remember all the teddy bears in the world and there are quite a lot of them!
Theodore Roosevelt
Bron: Wikimedia Commons.
What is the relationship between the teddy bear and Theodore Roosevelt? First of all, there is the name. There is doubt whether this would have been a nickname during his youth or a result of his later appearance while hunting bears in 1902. The name Teddy, although some claim otherwise, was a name he disliked. Whenever he was called that, he did everything he could to rectify it.
Theodore Roosevelt (27 October 1858 – 6 January 1919) was the 26th president of the United States between 14 September 1901 and 4 March 1909. He was not exactly known for his “humanity. That is why it is unusual that he is linked to something like a stuffed animal. Still, there is a relationship.
The origins of the teddy bear
So what was it about the teddybear or the teddy-gar? All this is said to have had to do with a visit to Mississippi in 1902, where Roosevelt allegedly went hunting at the invitation of the governor. When Roosevelt was brought to a bear that was being driven into a tree by dogs, he allegedly refused to kill the animal. He did not think that was dignified and released the bear. The story prompted a series of cartoons and the president was ridiculed as a sign of his perceived weakness. Not everyone agreed. Morris Michtom (12 September 1869 – 21 July 1938) inspired it to do something different. He came up with the idea of making a soft toy, the teddy bear. Named after the US president.
Michtom was not the only one to do so in 1902. Around the same time, Richard Steiff (7 February 1877 – 30 March 1939) did the same in Germany. He too decided to make a teddy bear. He only took his inspiration from the local zoo for his prototype, the Steiff Bär 55 PB. He presented the cuddly toy for the first time at the Leipzig Toy Fair in 1903. A year later, he did the same in St. Louis (USA), where he was also awarded a prize. Meanwhile, production of the teddy bears Steiff made began to take off.
So what about Michtom’s bear? He made the bear for “his use. The bear ended up in the window of his sweet shop in Brooklyn. Well named ‘Teddy’s Bear.’ A clear reference, this time in a positive sense, to the US president. Michtom initially had no plans for large-scale production. That was the case only after 1907, and that production was not even carried out by himself. He sold his idea to the Ideal Novelty and Toy Company. This effectively made this company the owner of the name.
The description as it is given on the page “The Real Teddy Bear Story” is not quite correct. The last section cites German developments (sideways). In doing so, it is presented as if the Germans would have followed the Americans. However, this was not the case. The events took place separately.
Why September 9?
When you look at Roosevelt’s birth date or death date, there is no relation to this day. Similarly, when you look at its creators/makers, there is no relationship. So why 9 September? Does it then have to do with the meeting between Roosevelt and the bear? No, because that took place on 14 November 1902. The first cartoons about this meeting, made by Clifford Berryman, were distributed on 16 November.
Much has been written about the origin of the teddy bear and its relationship with the US president. Nothing has been written about the origin of Teddybear Day or Teddy Bear Day. It therefore remains conjecture as to why this date was chosen.
What do do on this day?
That’s a very good question! It just depends on what you feel like of course. As long as the teddy bear takes centre stage, all is well!
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