13 August: International Lefthanders Day 2022 and its Significance

OV Digital Desk
4 Min Read
International Lefthanders Day

13 August is observed annually as International Lefthanders Day. A day to appreciate the uniqueness and differences of left-handed individuals. The day was first observed in 1976 by Dean R. Campbell, founder of Lefthanders International, Inc.

The theme of International Lefthanders Day 2022

13 August is observed annually as International Lefthanders Day. A day to appreciate the uniqueness and differences of left-handed individuals. There is no specific theme for the day.

The Missing Shah Jahan’s Peacock Throne

Quick facts about Lefthanders

Here are quick facts about   Lefthanders:

  • Around 10 per cent of people worldwide are left-handed.
  • Science confirms that Left-handed people are more intelligent and creative thinkers.
  • Left-Handers use the right side of their brain more, which makes them more inclined toward Art
  • Lefties have better underwater vision than right-handed people
  • The connection between the left and right sides of the brain is better in left-handers.
  • Lefties are efficient at multitasking and also have a better memory compared to the righties
  • They are deemed to be more skilled in terms of language, left-handers are also considered to be better leaders.
  • Lefties are also great at sports like baseball, players, tennis, swimming, boxing and fencing.
  • Lefties are more prone to migraines and sleep deprivation problems, however, they recover faster from injuries
  • Left-handers also face a higher risk of insomnia, psychosis and alcoholism

Human Rights Day and its Significance

 List of a few eminent personalities who are lefties
  •  Mahatma Gandhi
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi
  • Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong
  • Former US presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama
  • Prince WilliamMother Teresa
  • Cricketer Sachin Tendulkar
  • Actors Amitabh Bachchan and Rajinikanth
  • Industrialist Ratan Tata Scientist
  • Sir Isaac Newton
  • Painter Pablo Picasso
  • French leader Napoleon Bonaparte
  • Media personality Oprah Winfrey
International Left-handers Day: Struggles Faced by Left-Handers
  • Finding a comfortable desk position: If you are a left-hander, you’ll know the difficulty of writing on a desk that really only works for a right-hander. The amount of time one spends on adjusting and trying to find the perfect angle.
  • Handling household equipment: Most of the kitchen equipment and basic household tools such as Scissors, tweezers, and bottle openers are designed keeping right-handed people in mind. It is difficult to find a pair of scissors that works for a left-hander and doesn’t hurt their fingers. Even Computer keyboards and mouses are right-handers friendly.
  • Public transport: The ticket barriers at metro stations typically have the scanner on the right side. Therefore, a left-handed person, who might instinctively put their metro card or the coin towards the left, will simply open the gate for someone else.
  • Elbow wars and being pushed to the far left: Left-handed people always have to be conscious about which side they want to sit on. Dining out with friends and family, they have to make sure that their elbows do not clash with someone else who is eating with their right hand, for which they prefer a seat in the far corner.
History of International Lefthanders Day

International Lefthanders Day was launched by the Club as an annual event on 13th August 1992 when lefthanders everywhere can celebrate their uniqueness and also increase awareness in the public about the advantages and disadvantages of being left-handed. The event is now celebrated worldwide. In the UK there have been more than 20 regional events to mark the day including left-v-right sports matches, a left-handed tea party, and nationwide “Lefty Zones” where lefthanders’ creativity, adaptability, and sporting prowess were celebrated, etc.

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