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International Left-Handers Day

Lefties Get Their Day

Oh, hear the cheerful cries of the left-handed population. August 13 is officially recognized as International Left-Handers Day, and I find it most important to honor these everyday troopers for making it in a right-handed world. Why, you ask? Well, yours truly is a proud member of the lefty club and would love to shine a light on this very unique group. Classic plights of left-handers like myself can be quite funny and sometimes disappointing — but will resonate with at least 10% of the world, as that is the rough percentage of left-handed people across the globe.

Some may call our everyday encounters minor inconveniences — however, lefties know that being blessed with this dominant handedness is a learning curve that is not for the faint of heart. I dare say, that in “Right-Hand Land,” only the strong survive. (See the drama in that last statement? Lefties are a bit on the creative side, but we’ll get to that soon). Some examples of #lefthandstruggles include — but are not limited to — the following:

Thankfully in modern times we view being left-handed as the unique, genetic rarity that it is. Thanks to the founder of Left-Handers International, Dean R. Campbell, the world is now aware of the advantages and disadvantages of being left-handed. International Left-Handers Day made its grand entrance into the world in 1976 and has continued to garner support year after year. To celebrate this small but strong group of hand dominance rebels, here are some interesting facts about left-handedness.

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Book Lists

Books About Famous Lefties

Neil Armstrong : a Life of Flight by Jay Barbree
Oprah: Reflections on an American Legacy by Deborah Davis
The Real Elizabeth by Andrew Marr
Paul McCartney : The Life by Philip Norman
Dreams from my father by Barack Obama
Radioactive : Marie & Pierre Curie by Lauren Redniss

Books About Famous Lefties

I am Neil Armstrong by Brad Meltzer
I am Marie Curie by Brad Meltzer
I am Leonardo da Vinci by Brad Meltzer
I am Albert Einstein by Brad Meltzer
Little People, Big Dreams: Marie Curie
My Super Science Heroes: Marie Curie and the Power of Persistence
Little Heroes: Inventors Who Changed the World — From the ranging curiosity of Leonardo da Vinci to the dedication and sacrifice of Marie Curie, Little Heroes: Inventors Who Changed the World is a young child's first introduction to the brilliant people who taught us the meaning of perseverance and innovation. Simple text and adorable illustrations tell the contributions of nine renowned inventors from around the world: Cai Lun, Leonardo da Vinci, Marie Curie, Thomas Edison, Orville and Wilbur Wright, Grace Hopper, Johannes Gutenberg, and Louis Pasteur. Inspire your own little inventor with the words of these inventive heroes who changed the world.
Life Stories: Leonardo da Vinci
Life Stories: Albert Einstein
Who Was Albert Einstein?
The Beatles Were Fab (and they were funny) — Chronicles the legendary band's rise to prominence and highlights the humor of each member including Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr and John Lennon.
Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope
Groundbreaking Guys: 40 men who became great by doing good — Our history books are full of great men, from inventors to explorers to presidents. But these great men were not always good men. It's time for our role models to change. This book pays tribute to Mr. Rogers, Barack Obama, Hayao Miyazaki, John Stuart Mill, Robert Smalls, Louis Brandeis, Dalip Singh Saund, Feng-Shan Ho, Alan Turing, Jonas Salk, James Baldwin, Thích Nhá̂t Hạnh, Cesar Chavez, Fred Rogers, Maurice Sendak, Harvey Milk, Roberto Clemente, N. Scott Momaday, Walter Dean Myers, Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen, Muhammad Yunus, Carlos Slim Helú, Hayao Miyazaki, Muhammad Ali, Bob Ross, Steven Spielberg, Freddie Mercury, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Randy Shilts, Kailash Satyarthi, William Henry Bill Gates, Anthony Bourdain, John Bennett Herrington, George Clooney, Barack Hussein Obama, Yo Yo Ma, Kylar W Broadus, Terry Crews, Ziauddin Yousafzai, Questlove, Lin Manuel Miranda, Kendrick Lamar
Oprah Winfrey: The Little Speaker
She Presisted: 13 American women who changed the world — Profiles the lives of thirteen American women who have left their mark on U.S. history, including Harriet Tubman, Helen Keller, Margaret Chase Smith, and Oprah Winfrey
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