Left-Handers' Day

If you're left-handed, August 13th is your special day. International Left-Handers' Day is a day to celebrate all left-handers and highlight what it's like to live in a world designed for right-handers.

Percentage of Left-Handers

Research shows that around 10-12% of the world's population is left-handed. This means that left-handers are a minority, but a significant group.

Famous Left-Handers

Many famous people are left-handed. Singer Justin Bieber, athletes Lionel Messi and Rafael Nadal, singer Lady Gaga, and Sir Paul McCartney, actress Jennifer Lawrence, and TV host Oprah Winfrey are all left-handers.

Left-Handers in History

In the past, many left-handers held important positions. Former US presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, former UK prime minister David Cameron, and Winston Churchill were all left-handers.

Changes in Left-Handers' Lives

In the past, left-handers were often forced to use their right hand for writing and other tasks. Prince William's great-grandfather, George VI, was naturally left-handed, but his father, George V, made him write with his right hand.

Left-Handedness and Society

In some cultures, using the left hand is considered impolite. In India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Nepal, and the Middle East, using the left hand to eat, give, or receive things is seen as rude.

Left-Handedness and Language

Some languages have negative expressions related to left-handedness. In French, 'gauche' means both 'left' and 'clumsy'. In English, the word 'left' comes from the Anglo-Saxon word 'lyft', which means 'weak'.

History of Left-Handedness

In the Middle Ages, left-handers were seen as unlucky and even evil. In Christianity, left-handers were associated with the devil and sometimes punished for witchcraft.

Left-Handers' Brain Structure

Research shows that left-handers' brains are different. Left-handers' brains seem to be more connected and coordinated, especially when it comes to language.

Left-Handedness and Creativity

It's often claimed that left-handers are more creative and artistic, but there's no scientific evidence to support this.

Left-Handedness in Animals

Apart from humans, some animals also show left-handedness. Kangaroos prefer to use their left foot, while some parrot species use their left foot up to 90% of the time.

Conclusion

Left-Handers' Day is a day to celebrate left-handers and highlight the importance of left-handedness. The fact that left-handers are a minority, but a significant group, shows that their differences should be celebrated. Left-handedness is not just a preference, but also an identity and a cultural expression.