Celebrating International Left-Handers Day: 10 Interesting Facts About Unique Left-Handed Individuals
Celebrating Left-Handers: A Day for Uniqueness and Inclusivity
Every year on August 13, the world celebrates International Left-Handers Day. This day was initiated by Dean R. Campbell, founder of the UK-based Left-Handers Club, in 1976 to raise awareness about the challenges faced by left-handed individuals in a predominantly right-handed world [1][2][3][4].
The day holds significant importance for several reasons:
- Awareness: It highlights the difficulties left-handers encounter with everyday tools and environments, such as scissors, desks, and gadgets, which are mostly designed for right-handers [1][4].
- Honoring Uniqueness: It celebrates the creativity, individuality, and talents of left-handed people, who make up roughly 7–10% of the global population. Many famous lefties—including Barack Obama, Albert Einstein, Lady Gaga, and Bill Gates—are recognized on this day [1][2][3].
- Encouraging Inclusivity: The day promotes the development of products and environments that accommodate left-handed individuals, fostering a more inclusive society [1].
- Challenging Historical Stigma: Historically, left-handedness was associated with superstition and negativity. Terms like "sinister" derive from Latin for "left." This day helps dispel old biases and emphasizes the value of diversity [4][5].
Throughout history, left-handers have faced myths, negative beliefs, and even discrimination. However, various studies in neuroscience have determined that the preferential use of the left hand responds to genetic and cerebral particularities.
In Mexico, several notable left-handers have left their mark on history. For instance, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, the President of Mexico, is a left-hander. In the world of sports, Guillermo Ochoa, a goalkeeper known for his participation in several World Cups, and Javier "Chicharito" Hernández, an international footballer and all-time leading scorer for the Mexican national team, are both left-handed.
The arts have also been graced by Mexican left-handers. Diego Rivera, a painter and muralist, one of the most relevant artists in Mexico, Pedro Infante, an iconic actor and singer of Mexican golden age cinema, Juan Gabriel, an iconic Mexican singer-songwriter and music producer, Alejandro González Iñárritu, an internationally acclaimed film director, and Alejandra Guzmán, a singer and actress recognized in Spanish pop and rock music, are all left-handed.
Famous left-handers have made significant contributions to various fields, including Leonardo da Vinci, Marie Curie, Paul McCartney, and Lionel Messi. Despite the advances in acceptance, most devices, instruments, and regulations remain designed for right-handers, underscoring the need for continued awareness and inclusivity.
References:
[1] Left-Handers Day. (2021). Retrieved from https://www.left-handersday.com/
[2] Left-Handers Day. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.lefties.org/
[3] International Left-Handers Day. (2021). Retrieved from https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/men/left-handers-day
[4] Campbell, D. R. (2005). Left-Handers Day. Retrieved from https://www.left-handersclub.co.uk/left-handers-day/
[5] The History of Left-Handers Day. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.left-handersday.com/history/
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