Teddy Day, celebrated on February 10, is a day dedicated to the joy and comfort of cuddly teddy bears. As part of Valentine’s Week, Teddy Day invites us to give and receive these soft, lovable companions that have been a source of warmth and comfort for over a century. While gifting teddy bears is a heartfelt gesture on this day, this day also reminds us of the history behind this beloved stuffed animal.
🧸 Teddy Day is different from National Teddy Bear Day on September 9th! There are several other teddy-themed celebrations, including International Hug A Bear Day (November 7), Teddy Bear Picnic Day (July 10), and Bring Your Teddy Bear to Work & School Day (Second Wednesday of October), among others.
The Origins of the Teddy Day
The history of the teddy bear dates back to 1902, inspired by a hunting trip involving U.S. President Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt. Legend has it that Roosevelt was reluctant to shoot a bear cub on a hunting expedition, sparking a cartoon that circulated widely in newspapers. This image inspired shop owners Morris and Rose Michtom to create a stuffed bear and name it “Teddy’s Bear” in honor of the president’s compassion. The name caught on quickly, and teddy bears soon became cherished toys worldwide, evolving into symbols of comfort, nostalgia, and affection.
Fun Facts About Teddy Bears
While teddy bears might seem like a simple childhood toy, their story is full of fascinating details that reveal their cultural and emotional impact:
- The first teddy bear was made in 1902, the same year as the famous cartoon of President Roosevelt’s hunting trip.
- Germany and the U.S. both claim to be the birthplace of the teddy bear, with Steiff and the Michtoms being early creators.
- Teddy bears are not just toys; they’ve become collectibles with special bears valued at thousands of dollars.
- National Teddy Bear Day is also celebrated on September 9 each year, highlighting their year-round charm.
When Is Teddy Day Celebrated?
If you’d like to mark your calendar for Teddy Day, here are the upcoming dates. Celebrated annually on February 10, it’s a day to celebrate love, comfort, and the charm of teddy bears:
| Year | Date and Day |
|---|---|
| 2025 | February 10, Monday |
| 2026 | February 10, Tuesday |
| 2027 | February 10, Wednesday |
| 2028 | February 10, Thursday |
| 2029 | February 10, Saturday |
| 2030 | February 10, Sunday |
Ways to Celebrate Teddy Day
From sharing a photo of your cherished childhood bear to giving someone a new one, there are plenty of ways to make Teddy Day memorable. Here are a two ways to celebrate with your cozy companion:
- Gift a Teddy Bear: Surprise someone special with a teddy bear to brighten their day and symbolize comfort.
- Share a photo on social media: Take a picture with your favorite teddy and post it with #TeddyDay. Connect with others and see unique bears from around the world!
Before You Go:
We have many more national days lists for you to explore.
- Food-related national days: complete list of national food days, pasta & noodles days, vegan & vegetarian days, mushroom days, ice-cream days, pizza days, coffee days, chocolate days, wine days, alcohol & drinking days.
- Non-food national days: National Days Calendars 2024-2025 (check out the printable calendars in my Etsy shop), National Days for Teachers, and a wide array of special lists such as cat days, dog days, animal days, cleaning & organizing days, book days, music days, family & relationships days, national days for women, stationery days and even Harry Potter days.
- Country-specific national days: Australian national days, more coming soon.
