November 14th is National American Teddy Bear Day

November 14th marks “National American Teddy Bear Day.”  The history of the Teddy Bear is based on a President Teddy Roosevelt’s cancelled bear hunt. 

According to theodoreroosevelt.org,

“Nearly 100 years ago, President Theodore Roosevelt, went on a bear hunt. He enjoyed nature and being out in the woods where animals lived. Because he was the President of the United States, the people organizing the hunt wanted to make sure the hunt was successful.

But after 3 days of walking and climbing and riding, no bears were found. Now what? The President's bear hunt would be a failure! 

The next day the hunt guide and his hunting dogs finally found an old bear. The dogs and guide followed the bear for quite a distance until the bear was very, very tired. The dogs attacked and injured the old bear. The guides tied the bear to a tree and called for the President. Here was a bear for him to shoot!

President Roosevelt looked at the poor old bear and said "no!" No one would shoot this old bear for sport. That would not be right. However, the bear was injured and suffering. President Roosevelt ordered that the bear be put down to end its pain.”

After this event famous political cartoonist, Clifford Berryman created an art to reflect this bear hunt.  Furthermore, a shopkeeper, Morris Michtom received approved from the President to make a small bear to symbolize this event as well.