Teddy Bear Day

Teddy Bear Day is celebrated on September 9 each year—a gentle occasion to honor the beloved teddy bear, a timeless symbol of comfort, friendship, and joy.

History of Teddy Bear Day

Teddy Bear Day was created to offer a special date for recognizing one of childhood’s most cherished toys—our soft, cuddly companions. It encourages us to bring out old favorites and give them a moment of love and appreciation.

The teddy bear’s story begins in the early 1900s, inspired by U.S. President Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt famously refusing to shoot a tied-up bear cub during a hunting trip.

The story behind Teddy Bear Day stretches back more than a century, woven with compassion, creativity, and a little touch of serendipity. In 1902, President Theodore Roosevelt was on a hunting trip in Mississippi when he was offered the chance to shoot a bear that had been captured and tied to a tree. Roosevelt refused, considering it unsportsmanlike. This simple act of mercy quickly spread across the country after political cartoonist Clifford Berryman captured the moment in a sketch titled Drawing the Line in Mississippi.

That cartoon sparked an idea in the hearts of Morris and Rose Michtom, immigrant shop owners in Brooklyn who ran a small candy and toy store. Inspired, they stitched a soft stuffed bear, placed it in their shop window, and labeled it “Teddy’s Bear” in honor of Roosevelt. To their delight, the toy became an instant hit. With Roosevelt’s permission to use his name, the Michtoms soon founded the Ideal Novelty and Toy Company, and the teddy bear began its journey from a small shop display to a global symbol of comfort and childhood joy.

From that moment on, the teddy bear was no longer just a toy—it became a friend, a source of comfort in hard times, and a reminder of kindness at the heart of its creation. Teddy Bear Day celebrates not only the plush companions that have been clutched and cuddled for generations but also the history of empathy and imagination that brought them to life.

Why Is Teddy Bear Day Important?

This day feels like a warm hug in calendar form—inviting us to pause, recall, and thank those little friends who’ve often been by our side in quiet, meaningful ways. A worn bear can be a time capsule of memories, holding comfort from childhood fears, bedtime rituals, or simply the safe feeling of hugging something soft.

It also reminds us of the universal power of kindness and storytelling. That simple gesture of Roosevelt’s sparked not just a toy but an enduring symbol of empathy and affection that resonates across generations. Teddy Bear Day is a quiet nudge to celebrate memory, emotion, and connection disguised as a fluffy friend.

Here are a few heartfelt reflections on why it matters:

• it lets us reconnect with childhood memories and comfort
• it honors a simple yet powerful symbol of love and kindness
• it encourages appreciating small things that bring big comfort
• it reminds us how empathy, even in a toy’s origin, can ripple through time
• it keeps the tradition—of gifting, cherishing, hugging—alive

How to Observe Teddy Bear Day

Celebrating Teddy Bear Day is as cozy as it gets. Dig out a teddy—maybe one from your childhood—and welcome it with a bear hug or a quiet moment together. If you don’t have one, it might be the perfect day to gift someone a cozy companion, especially a child. You might also reflect on how that teddy or childhood comfort shaped your sense of safety, imagination, or care.

If you’re in a group—be it family, school, or community—you could invite everyone to share a photo or short story about their favorite bear or stuffed friend. And many stores, like Build-A-Bear, run sweet promotions—like “Buy a Bear, Give a Bear”—on Teddy Bear Day to spread warmth beyond our homes.

Here are some warm, easy ways to observe:

• Give your teddy a big, grateful hug
• Gift a bear to someone who could use some comfort
• Share your teddy’s memory story or photo with others
• Reflect on how a soft toy taught you care, empathy, or friendship
• Participate in a community or store teddy bear kindness event

Teddy Bear Day Dates Table