“Life without left-handed people wouldn’t be right.” -C.R. Manske-

It is a natural fact that you become left-handed or right-handed.  Almost 12% of the world’s population is left-handed and lefties are a bunch of talented individuals.  Let’s give them a big (left) hand!

International Left-Handers Day perceives on the 13th of August each year to celebrate the differences and distinct left-handed individuals. This day was first celebrated by Dean R. Campbell, founder of Left-handers International Inc. in 1976 and has been celebrated every year since then.   The day also highlights the challenges faced by left-handed people, for instance, the hardships faced when most things are designed with right-handed people in mind; everything from school desks to a pair of scissors. Hence, left-handers day is a stage to tell your family and friends how proud you are of being left-handed, and also to raise awareness of the everyday issues that lefties face as we live in a world designed for right-handers.

According to Chris McManus, the Professor of Psychology and Medical Education at University College London and the author of ‘Right Hand, Left Hand’ said, “If you are left-handed, you might find yourself with a slightly unusual way your brain is organized and suddenly that gives you skills that other people don’t have.”

Yes, we can agree with the professor because humans are genetically divided into left and right. The left side of the brain is controlled by the right side of the body. Since the body of left-handed people is controlled by the right side of the brain, artistic ability, mathematical intelligence, etc. are located on the left side. So, because of this speciality, many famous people all over the world are lefties.

History is filled with famous left-handed people including Julius Caesar, Aristotle, Alexander the Great, Mahatma Gandhi, Napoleon Bonaparte, Lord Baden-Powell, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles, George H. W. Bush, and Barack Obama.  Also, it should be no surprise that Albert Einstein was a famous southpaw. The math genius is joined by artists like Leonardo da Vinci, Michael Angelo, and M.C. Escher who were left-handed artists and experts in spatial relationships. From Robert DeNiro, Angelina Jolie and Tom Cruise, to Nicole Kidman, Robert Redford and Keanu Reeves, countless celebrities are famous for being left-handed.

Musical abilities are also heightened in lefties, illustrated by an unusual number of musicians (everyone from Kurt Cobain to Beethoven) who have been left-handed. Moreover, famous lefties include baseball pitchers Ron Guidry, Whitey Ford and Tommy John, tennis champs Martina Navratilova, Rafael Nadal and John McEnroe, and Olympic greats Dorothy Hammil and Mark Spitz. One of the richest people in the world named Bill Gates is also left-handed. In a right-handed world, lefties shine brightly with their own identity. So, if you are a lefty, grab your left-handed cup and make a toast to all left-handers, everywhere.