What do Tom Cruise, Julius Caesar, Barack Obama, Leonardo da Vinci and Jack the Ripper have in common? They are all  “southpaws,” a term used to describe left-handed people, especially baseball players.  

While neither Mark Twain or Albert Einstein are known for playing baseball, they join all-star slugger Babe Ruth as some of history’s most notable “lefties.” 

Dean R. Campbell, the founder of Lefthanders International, Inc., first celebrated Left Handers Day in 1976 to honor the achievements of lefties everywhere and raise awareness of the everyday issues they face. 

That’s because the world is made for the right-handed. Why? Because only 9.2% of the world’s population— approximately 708 million people—are left-handed. 

Many years ago, people thought that being left-handed was a curse. Many lefties were forced, against their natural inclination, to write with their right hand. They’ve been discriminated against and looked at with suspicion, as evidenced in the language used to describe lefties. The etymology of the word “sinister” traces back to the Latin word for “left,” and “right” in English means “correct.” 

Many of us right-handers take simple things for granted, such as buttoning a shirt, wearing an oven mitt, ironing or using a computer mouse. Companies and manufacturers often disregard this minority group by making items that are designed for use by right-handed people, from school desks to a pair of scissors. 

The factors that determine a person’s dominant hand remain a mystery. Some theorize that certain genetic factors predispose a child to favor the right hand, although a direct genetic link has not been proven, as two right-handed parents can have a left-handed child. 

Based on recent studies, researchers think it’s more likely that lots of different genes combine to produce a left-handed person. In 2019, scientists in the Netherlands conducted the most extensive study on the genetics of left-handedness and found that a small number of genes played a role in leftie development. 

Additionally, more boys than girls are left-handed, which leads some researchers to believe that testosterone may have some influence.

While the reasons for left-handedness remain largely a mystery, neuroscientists continue research to understand this fascinating phenomenon.

It’s believed that left handers tend to be more successful at sports than right handers. Think Barry Bonds, Phil Mickelson, Deion Sanders, Martina Navratilova, Bill Russell, Marvin Hagler and Wayne Gretzky. It’s known as the southpaw advantage.

This is especially true for interactive ball sports and combat sports, where a leftie’s actions are more surprising to their opponents. 

So if you’re left-handed, grab your left-handed cup and make a toast to all left-handers everywhere on August 13.

And if you have a friend or family member who’s a leftie, you can find appropriate gifts designed especially for them at Lefty’s, the Left Hand Store: LeftysLeftHanded.com.