Welcome to our series sharing Unique Holidays: August 13th, 2022. I would like to ask you to check out the holidays being celebrated today and let me know which holiday you most want to celebrate today. I am a Left Hander so I will celebrate myself today. Would you like to join me in the celebration?
If you are a Leftie, Then Left Handers Day is just for you!
Left Handers, also commonly referred to as Southpaws, are the brunt of more than their share of jokes all year long. How do I know? Yup, you guessed it! I am a leftie and it isn’t easy being a leftie. Those of us who are, would have it no other way. Lefties are proud of being left handed or at least I am.
The world is built for right handers. Examples are everywhere. For example:
- In school, have you ever seen a left handed desk? Nope, because they don’t exist.
- Many left handed items cost more.
- Novelty coffee mugs are made with the picture or text for a right handed pick-up.
- Scissors were created for right handers. Only a lefty would understand this.
- The computer mouse you are using as you read this is designed for right handers.
Right handed people operate in the left side of the brain. Left handed people use the right side. Therefore, only left handed people are in their right mind.
Left Hander’s certainly earned the right to have a hliday dedicated to them. August 13th is that day. Take a minute to appreciate your left handed friends and loved ones. Don’t forget to send them a Left Handed Day Ecard to show your respect.
Remember today and every day: “Lefties have rights!”
As lefthanders, we never do anything right….kewl!
Left Handed Facts and Trivia:
- Sinistrophobia is the fear of left-handedness or things on the left side.
- While many people are left handed, very few are 100% left handed. For example, many Left handers golf and bat right handed. On the other hand, there is a high percentage of righties who are 100% right-handed.
- Lefties are also called “southpaws” and the term was coined in baseball to describe a left handed pitcher.
- Tuesdays are Lefties lucky day.
- Only about 10% of the population is left handed.
- During the 1600’s people, thought left handers were witches and warlocks.
- International Left Hander’s Day was first celebrated on August 13, 1976 which was started by Lefthander’s International.
- History is filled with famous left handed people, including: Julius Caesar, Aristotle, Alexander the Great.
- Presidential Lefthanders: James A. Garfield, Herbert Hoover, Harry S. Truman, John F. Kennedy.
- Famous notorious left handers include: Osama bin Laden, Boston Strangler, and Jack the Ripper.
- They say everyone was born right handed, and only the greatest overcome it. Which is me, my dad’s mom and Suzzane.
- Did you know there is a town in West Virginia, where everyone is a Left Hander called Left Hand, WV.
- Polar Bears are believed to be left handed.
- Left handed people are more likely to suffer insomnia. That is me to a T….
- Did you know there is a rumor that Octopuses have but one right hand. Scientists are diligently studying this issue.
- Left handed people process information more quickly.
- Left handed college graduates have a 26% greater chance of becoming rich. I sure hope that is true because it would be nice to be rich and be able to help my friends and family.
History and Origin of Left Hander’s Day
Dean R. Campbell, founder of Left Handers International, created this holiday which was first celebrated on August 13th, 1976.
There is some false reference on the Internet, suggesting that Left Hander’s Day is in January. It seemed to appear around 2010-2012 which is incorrect. We suspect someone wanted to create this holiday in January, but did not do their homework to find out that National Left Handers Day already exists.
There is also one or two sites that call it “National Left Handers Day”. These references began around 2017, and are incorrect. The celebration of Left Handers is a world wide event.
Middle Child’s Day – second Saturday in August
Middle Child’s Day, or Middle Children’s Day, gives a little well deserved recognition to the wonderful and special middle child in the family.
For parents of three children or more , you likely know the “Middle Child Syndrome” all too well. If you grew up the middle child with both older and younger siblings, you know the feeling a from a very personal perspective.
The first child is the first child. Beyond a doubt, the first born is a very special occasion. He, or she, has all of mom and dad for a while before the second child comes along. The final child is and always will be the baby of the family.
This Author knows what its like to be a middle child. We won’t go into a dissertation about what Middle Child Syndrome is. We will focus upon one aspect. Older and younger children tend to be more outgoing, or extroverted. The middle Child tends to be more introverted, quieter, perhaps a bit of a loner.
It is very fair and fitting that we celebrate, and place into the limelight, the middle child today. Go out and enjoy this day to the fullest. Tell the world about it. Be a little outspoken, and let the world know how great it is to be the middle child. You truly are a wonderful, talented, and special person!
History and Origin of Middle Child’s Day:
This holiday was created in 1986 by Elizabeth Walker of Sebring, Fl. As you’ve already guessed Elizabeth was a middle child.
From it’s creation and up until a few years ago, the holiday was called Middle Child’s Day. Around 2107, a few websites began to add the word “National” to the title. According to Litton Walker, the creator’s grandchild “As for websites adding the word “National” to it, I don’t have a preference, but I suppose it does sound better.”
There is no presidential proclamation or congressional resolution declaring this a true national holiday.
National Garage Sale Day – second Saturday in August
We’ve all heard “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”
Is your house and garage cluttered with things you no longer need or will likely never use again? Is your home a candidate for the television show “Hoarders”? Are you getting a case of claustrophobia, as you sit in your living room? Could you use a little extra cash? If the answer to any of these questions is “yes”, then it’s time to hold a garage sale. You’ll be happy to know that today is National Garage Sale Day. To participate in this holiday, you can either hold a garage sale or find a Garage Sale to shop at.
Whether you are looking to create a little extra room in your living room or closet, or you need to create space for your teenager’s garage band, a garage sale will help you to meet your goals of having a little breathing room and make a few bucks at the same time.
Did you know there are 100,000 – 165,000 garage sales every week! Whether you hold a garage sale, a street sale, a moving sale or estate sale, you are among those who hold 100,000 – 165,000 garage sales every week! Most sales are two to three days. The most popular day is Saturday. Sundays are the least popular, often with disappointing amounts of customers but a lot of time people will mark everything down to half off.
The root of garage sales comes from “rummages sales” in the 16th Century. Ship captains would hold “rummage sales” to get rid of unclaimed freight.
Tips for a Successful Garage Sale:
- Advertise – People have to know where the sale is, and when it will be held. Make sure to advertise your garage sale on Craigslist, Facebook and social media.
- Price items correctly – The key is not to overprice your items. If prices are too high, people will walk away without buying.
- Be willing to negotiate – Most people who visit your sale, want a “bargain” and will ask if you will take less. Be prepared to negotiate.
- Have lots of stuff – The more items you have, the more you will sell and the more money you will make.
- Promote a street sale – Tell your neighbors you are having a garage sale, and encourage them to do likewise. If they do, advertising a street of multi-family garage sale will bring more people.
- Shoppers will arrive before the start time don’t let them rush you. It’s best to hold customers off until you are ready.
- Keep the cash box out of view. Keep some change in your pocket and make change from there. As you sell things, bring some of the cash inside.
- Only accept cash.
- Determine what you will do with the leftover items. People wait for the sale to be over and pick up the free items you set by the road. The last thing you want to do, is put unsold items back in your house or garage.
- Consider a half price sale on the last day .
- Celebrate – Use some of the sale money to treat your family to a dinner at your favorite restaurant.
The History and Origin of National Garage Sale Day:
This holiday was created in 2001 by C. Daniel Rhodes. After attending a number of garage sales over several weeks, Rhodes thought it would be more convenient to have one weekend to hold garage sales. While some might offer several arguments why it would not be ideal to restrict garage sales to one weekend, this holiday came into existence to designate one weekend for garage sales.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
