Days like today are when I miss my childhood and Suzzane’ because March 9 National Barbie Day #NationalBarbieDay. I remember my friends coming over and playing with our Barbies for hours on end. What I miss the most though is creating Barbie clothes for Suzzane that I used to make with my grandmother Dorie. I wonder if her and Suzzie are doing anything for #NationalBarbieDay in Heaven today.
Today is the day to throw on sold school clothes from your childhood and invite your #beastie over because March 9 is National Barbie Day! In 1959, an 11-inch tall bombshell made her debut at the American International Toy Fair in New York. Barbie is designed by Ruth Handler, the co-founder of Mattel Inc.,
Barbie was created to allow girls to imagine what their lives could be like in the future. Barbie has had a slew of careers, from a registered nurse to an astronaut. Barbie has done it all with a companion. Barbie was a single lady for all of 2 years. But in 1961, overwhelming demand caused Handler to release a boyfriend for her — Ken. On National Barbie Day, we celebrate all things Barbie including her friends and Pets.
Barbie is simply iconic and there is nothing that comes close to the spectrum of emotions that are conjured by Barbie, and how she is perceived uniquely by every individual who has ever played or owned a Barbie doll.
Barbie was inspired by Lilli, a German doll, which had misogynistic attributes and had a more “adult” appeal. From this idea, the co-founder of Mattel toy company Ruth Handler became inspired to create a doll that was a grown woman. In 1956, while on vacation with her family, Handler first came across the Lilli doll and noticed how enamored her 15-year-old daughter Barbara was.
Before the creation of Barbie, most dolls were either babies or children. Handler’s vision was to create a doll that had a grown female’s anatomy. Over the next couple of years, Handler worked to design a wholesome, American doll. Named after her daughter Barbara, Barbie debuted at the American International Toy Fair in 1959. Crowds of people instantly fell in love with the doll.
The first Barbie doll was available in one body type. More than 60 years since its introduction to the public, Barbie has been a role model and friend to children and adults throughout. Reimagined in many ways and challenging societal norms, Barbie has truly been an integral part of the change, especially for girls.
Toy company Mattel has made changes to the anatomy of the doll over the years to counter critics and their claims that Barbie is misogynistic. In 1963, Midge was created as Barbie’s best friend, followed by Teresa, Ken, and Christie, to dispel these claims and broaden Barbie’s appeal as a family-friendly doll.
NATIONAL BARBIE DAY ACTIVITIES
- To celebrate National Barbie Day play Barbie with your children or relatives and create memories for a lifetime.
- Take your Barbie on a shopping spree without ever leaving home by shopping online.
5 FASHIONABLE FACTS ABOUT BARBIE
- Ken is named after their son, Kenneth.
- Ken is two years younger than Barbie.
- Barbie is from Wisconsin, not Malibu.
WHY PEOPLE LOVE NATIONAL BARBIE DAY
- Since her creation, Barbie has had more than 150 careers. She’s been an astronaut, a CEO and she’s even run for president! Barbie acts as a role model and inspires young girls to pursue these same careers.
- Barbie’s fun for the whole family! Ruth Handler created Barbie as a toy for her daughter — and even named it after her.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
