National Teddy Bear Day is celebrated every year on September 9 in the United States. It is an unofficial, just-for-fun observance that honors the stuffed bear named after President Theodore Roosevelt in 1902. The next one falls on Thursday, September 9, 2027. Looking for a bear to hug that day? Browse our bear plush and teddy bear stuffed animals.
Key takeaways
- National Teddy Bear Day is observed on September 9 each year; in 2027 it falls on a Thursday.
- It is not a federal holiday: September 9 does not appear on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's list of federal holidays.
- The teddy bear's name goes back to a hunting trip near Onward, Mississippi, on November 14, 1902, when Theodore Roosevelt refused to shoot a bear tied to a tree (National Park Service).
- Clifford Berryman's cartoon "Drawing the Line in Mississippi," printed in The Washington Post on November 16, 1902, was the first to show the teddy bear (National Archives).
- Brooklyn shop owners Morris and Rose Michtom made a toy called "Teddy's Bear"; an early example from about 1903 is in the Smithsonian's collection.
When is National Teddy Bear Day?
National Teddy Bear Day is on September 9, every year, on whatever day of the week that date falls. It is not moved to a weekend or a Monday.
Here are the next dates to put on your calendar:
| Year | Date | Day of the week |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | September 9 | Thursday |
| 2028 | September 9 | Saturday |
When it lands on a weekday, you can save the bigger celebration (a picnic or a craft afternoon) for the nearest weekend, and keep the day itself for a small gesture, like a bedtime story with a favorite bear.
Is National Teddy Bear Day an official holiday?
No. National Teddy Bear Day is an informal "national day," not a public holiday: schools, banks and government offices stay open.
The U.S. Office of Personnel Management publishes the official list of federal holidays, and the only September holiday on it is Labor Day. National Teddy Bear Day belongs to the large family of fun observances shared on calendars, in classrooms and on social media. We could not find a documented founder or an official proclamation for it, so be wary of any precise "founding story" you read online.
Why do we celebrate teddy bears? The origin story
We celebrate teddy bears because a real event in 1902 turned a simple stuffed toy into an American icon named after a president. The story has three steps: a hunt, a cartoon and a toy maker.
- The hunt (November 14, 1902). According to the National Park Service, Mississippi Governor Andrew H. Longino invited President Theodore Roosevelt on a bear hunt near Onward, Mississippi. Roosevelt had not found a bear, so his assistants cornered one and tied it to a willow tree. He refused to shoot it, judging that unsportsmanlike.
- The cartoon (November 16, 1902). The National Archives notes that Clifford Berryman's cartoon "Drawing the Line in Mississippi" ran in The Washington Post two days later. It was the first cartoon to show the teddy bear, and Berryman kept drawing the cute little bear for years.
- The toy (1902 to 1903). Morris Michtom, a Brooklyn candy shop owner who also made stuffed animals with his wife Rose, created a toy bear he called "Teddy's Bear." He asked Roosevelt for permission to use his name, and the bears sold so well that he went on to found the Ideal Toy Company.
One of those early bears survives. The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History holds a teddy bear dated to about 1903, given to the museum in January 1964 by Mr. and Mrs. Kermit Roosevelt.
Teddy bear history at a glance
The key dates fit in a few lines. This timeline sums up what the National Park Service, the National Archives and the Smithsonian report.
| Date | Event | Source |
|---|---|---|
| November 14, 1902 | Theodore Roosevelt refuses to shoot a bear tied to a tree near Onward, Mississippi | National Park Service |
| November 16, 1902 | "Drawing the Line in Mississippi" cartoon runs in The Washington Post | National Archives |
| 1903 | The Ideal Toy Company is founded; an early "Teddy's Bear" dates from about this year | Smithsonian |
| January 1964 | The Roosevelt family's early teddy bear enters the Smithsonian collection | Smithsonian |
| September 9 | National Teddy Bear Day, observed every year | Unofficial observance |
10 ways to celebrate National Teddy Bear Day
The best way to celebrate National Teddy Bear Day is to spend a little time with a bear you love, or to give one to someone who needs a hug. These ideas work for kids, couples and grown-up collectors.
- Host a teddy bear picnic. Spread a blanket in the backyard or a park, and let every guest bring a bear.
- Share a throwback photo. Post a picture of your childhood bear and tell its story with #NationalTeddyBearDay.
- Read the true story. Tell kids about the 1902 hunt and the cartoon; it is a gentle history lesson with a happy ending.
- Draw your own cartoon bear. Print the original Berryman cartoon from an archive and let children draw their own version.
- Give a teddy bear as a gift. A small bear is an easy "thinking of you" present for a friend, a partner or a grandparent.
- Freshen up an old friend. Gently clean a well-loved bear (check its label first) so it is ready for another decade of hugs.
- Write a thank-you note to your bear. A fun journaling prompt for kids and adults: what has your bear seen you through?
- Donate a new bear. Ask a local shelter, hospital or charity whether it accepts new stuffed toys before you drop one off.
- Visit a museum collection. Look up the Smithsonian's early teddy bear online, or visit a Theodore Roosevelt historic site.
- Start (or grow) a collection. Pick one new bear each September 9 and build a small shelf display over the years.
Read also: How to Wash Stuffed Animals Without Ruining Them, to get an old teddy looking its best, and Long Distance Relationship Gifts That Feel Like a Hug, if your bear has to travel by mail.
Teddy bear celebration ideas for kids and classrooms
For kids, the simplest celebration is a "bring your bear" day: every child brings a stuffed animal to school, daycare or the library and does one activity with it.
- Bear show-and-tell: each child introduces their bear's name and one fact about it.
- Measure the bears: line them up from smallest to biggest, a hands-on math game for young children.
- Story time: read a picture book about bears with every teddy sitting in the audience.
- Bear history in one minute: show the 1902 cartoon and ask why the president said no.
Keep activities simple and inclusive: some children may not own a teddy bear, so a few spare plush toys in the classroom let everyone join in.
Bring home a teddy bear for September 9
If you want a new bear for the occasion, these picks are in stock at Mister Plush:
- Stuffed Bear Holding a Rose: a 9.8-inch bear in 100% PP cotton holding a little rose, in white, grey, pink or brown. A sweet gift for a partner or a best friend.
- Face Changing Teddy Bear: a 4.7-inch teddy in brown or black whose face flips between moods (happy, grumpy, sleepy). Small enough for a desk or a backpack.
- Polar Bear Plush: a fluffy white bear in four sizes from 7.9 to 17.7 inches, for kids 3 and up and grown-up bear fans.
Want a bear you can really sink into? See our giant stuffed animals.
FAQ: National Teddy Bear Day
What day is National Teddy Bear Day?
National Teddy Bear Day is September 9 every year. The date does not move, so the day of the week changes: in 2027 it falls on a Thursday and in 2028 on a Saturday. It is a fun, unofficial observance, so there are no closures; people simply celebrate with their bears, share photos and give teddy bears as gifts.
Why is it called a teddy bear?
It is called a teddy bear after President Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt. In November 1902 he refused to shoot a bear tied to a tree in Mississippi, a cartoonist turned the story into a cartoon, and Brooklyn toy maker Morris Michtom sold a stuffed bear called "Teddy's Bear" after getting Roosevelt's permission to use his name.
Is National Teddy Bear Day the same as the anniversary of the teddy bear?
No. National Teddy Bear Day is observed on September 9, while the hunt that inspired the toy took place on November 14, 1902, and the famous cartoon ran on November 16, 1902. You can mark both: September 9 to celebrate bears in general, and mid-November to remember the real story behind the name.
How do you celebrate National Teddy Bear Day at home?
At home, keep it easy: have a teddy bear picnic on the living room floor, read a bear story at bedtime, share a photo of your childhood bear, or give a small teddy to someone you love. Families can also clean and repair an old favorite bear together, which turns the day into a caring little ritual.
Conclusion
National Teddy Bear Day, on September 9, is a simple excuse to celebrate a toy with a real American history, from a 1902 bear hunt in Mississippi to a Smithsonian display case. Dust off an old friend, share its story, or welcome a new one. Find your next companion in our bear plush collection.
Sources
- National Park Service, Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace: The Story of the Teddy Bear
- National Archives: Clifford K. Berryman biography
- Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of American History: Teddy Bear (object nmah_491375)
- U.S. Office of Personnel Management: Federal Holidays
