Today is National Teddy Bear Day

SAN ANGELO, TX -- Today is national teddy bear day. 

According to the National Calender, 

On September 9th, National Teddy Bear Day honors the history of one of childhood’s favorite toys. We have all had a special cuddly teddy as a child. Some of us still have our teddy bear from our childhood.  Whether or not you still have your childhood teddy, the day is a perfect time to celebrate your childhood friend!

In 1902, American President Theodore Roosevelt refused to shoot a bear cub while hunting in Mississippi. This incident made national news. Clifford Berryman published a cartoon of the event in the Washington Post on November 16th, 1902.  The caricature became an instant classic.

The Berryman cartoon of Teddy Roosevelt and the cub inspired New York store owner Morris Michtom to create a new toy.  Morris Michtom wrote President Roosevelt to ask permission to name the new toy a “Teddy Bear.”

A teddy bear does not depend on mechanics to give him the semblance of life. He is loved – and therefore, he lives. ~ Pam Brown

Since the advent of the Teddy Bear, a parade of famous characters followed.

Big Bird from Sesame Street had a Teddy Bear named Radar. The lasagna loving cat celebrated on Garfield the Cat Day armed himself with Pooky, his lovable scapegoat. The British invasion of Teddy Bears includes Winnie-the-Pooh and Paddington. In 1981, the Care Bears first became greeting cards. Not long after, they launched into television and toy history.

Another Muppet character we must mention is Fozzie Bear. The lovable and comedic bear endlessly perseveres with one-liners, slapstick and musical comedy. 

Share photos of your childhood bear or your child's teddy!