What national day is today? Celebrating famous lefties on International Lefthanders Day

Joe Mason, Asbury Park Press
·2 min read

It's a right-handed world, lefties are just living it.

Except for Sunday.

On Aug. 13, we celebrate International Lefthanders Day, which aims to make up for those poor people sitting in right-handed desks throughout high school.

According to NationalDays.com, the annual day was celebrated by the founder of Lefthanders International, Inc. in 1976, and has since been celebrated every year.

And left-handers should be celebrated because let's face it, they don't have it easy.

They look awkward doing simple tasks and they can never seem to find a glove during gym class.

Despite this, left-handed people have made a lot of contributions over the years. In fact, some of the smartest, most influential people in the world were or are left-handed. Let's take a look at some of the greats.

White House staff secretary Lisa Brown helps President Barack Obama as he signs a series of executive orders on the third day of his presidency in 2009.
White House staff secretary Lisa Brown helps President Barack Obama as he signs a series of executive orders on the third day of his presidency in 2009.

Barack Obama

When the first Black president of the United States was signing bills, he did so with his left hand.

Highlights of this day in history: President and Civil War general Ulysses S. Grant born; Explorer Ferdinand Magellan killed; U.S. Marines attack North Africa during the First Barbary War; Ailing baseball star Babe Ruth honored. (April 27)
Highlights of this day in history: President and Civil War general Ulysses S. Grant born; Explorer Ferdinand Magellan killed; U.S. Marines attack North Africa during the First Barbary War; Ailing baseball star Babe Ruth honored. (April 27)

Babe Ruth

Long before Shohei Ohtani, Ruth, who inspired a terrible candy bar, was hitting dingers and striking people out left-handed.

American rock guitarist Jimi Hendrix performing with The Jimi Hendrix Experience at the Monterey Pop Festival, California, USA, June 18, 1967.
American rock guitarist Jimi Hendrix performing with The Jimi Hendrix Experience at the Monterey Pop Festival, California, USA, June 18, 1967.

Jimi Hendrix

I didn't notice this until I recently saw the "Adventures of Ford Fairlane," but he had a lefty guitar that helped him be one of the greatest of all time. True genius.

Albert Einstein

Speaking of geniuses ... when he was developing his theory of relativity, he was doing so with his left hand.

Harry Shearer provides the voice of Ned Flanders, right, on Fox's 'The Simpsons.'
Harry Shearer provides the voice of Ned Flanders, right, on Fox's 'The Simpsons.'

Ned Flanders

You might not think he's a hero, but who else opened a store for lefties? And thanks to Homer, his store on The Simpsons was a success.

FILE - In this Nov. 29, 2018 file photo, Oprah Winfrey smiles during a tribute to Nelson Mandela and promoting gender equality event at University of Johannesburg in Soweto, South Africa. Winfrey began her career in the mid-1970s as a TV news anchor, moved on to host a talk show for decades and became a media executive and billionaire. Her ability to evolve and remain a force in American culture inspires Shari Coulter Ford, who's also had a long business career and now co-owns Tohi Ventures, maker of Tohi, a beverage sold online. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe, File)

Oprah Winfrey

You don't see any right-handers giving away cars like they're going out of style. She parlayed being a great host into owning her own network.

Will Ferrell

Whether he's driving a race car, building bunk beds or doing one beer bong, the former SNL star leads with his left. He does so many activities left handed.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg speaks at Georgetown University in Washington, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019.
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg speaks at Georgetown University in Washington, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019.

Mark Zuckerberg

Next time you're banned for one of your inappropriate memes, just know Zuckerberg banned you with his left hand.

Jerry Seinfeld

"Why would somebody not want to be a lefty? Who wants to always be right? Who are these people?"

Rocky Balboa

Do you think a journeyman pug would have knocked out Apollo Creed if he didn't have the gimmick of being a southpaw? Rocky's left hand made the movie!

Other notable left-handers

  • Angelina Jolie

  • Leonardo da Vinci

  • Keanu Reeves

  • Buzz Aldrin

  • Jon Stewart

  • Gordon Ramsey

  • Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

  • Justin Bieber

  • Sandy Kofax

  • Steve Young

  • Eminem

  • Paul McCartney

  • Randy Johnson

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Famous leftys celebrate International Lefthanders Day