Teddy bears are known to provide children and adults with comfort in times of distress and companionship in times of loneliness. They have been given to people when they are sick to raise their spirits and to children when they face uncertainty.

These toys have been so invaluable that it should not be a surprise to anyone that a holiday has sprung up around their use. A holiday that is known as Bring Your Teddy Bear to Work & School Day. On this day, people are encouraged to grab a teddy bear and take it to work or school with them. And that can bring joy to an otherwise gray day.

The History of the Teddy Bear

Unfortunately, we were unable to uncover the history of Bring Your Teddy Bear to Work & School Day, but we were able to uncover the history of the teddy bear. The first teddy bear was created in honor of U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt.

He was on a bear hunting trip in Mississippi in 1902 when his attendants cornered, clubbed, and tied an American black bear to a tree after chasing it down with hounds. These attendants would end up calling Roosevelt to the site and suggested that he shoot it.

However, he refused, citing the fact that it would be unsportsmanlike to shoot the bear. He did ask that the bear be shot to put it out of its misery, though. The whole incident would inspire political cartoons, and it was those political cartoons that would inspire Morris Michtom to create the first Teddy Bear.

He would create a soft bear cub and put it in the window of his candy shop in Brooklyn with a sign that read “Teddy’s Bear.” He would eventually ask Roosevelt’s permission to use the name Teddy for the bears, and after he procured that permission, he would go on to produce them commercially. The rest, as they say, is history.

Observing Bring Your Teddy Bear to Work & School Day

Observing this holiday is as simple as bringing your favorite Teddy Bear to school or work. Or, if you prefer, pack up a Teddy Bear and give it to a child on this holiday. Let’s all enjoy the power of Teddy Bears and how they can inspire us and lift our spirits on this holiday.