International Left Handers Day 2025 observed globally on August 13.
Important Days
International Left Handers Day 2025 was observed worldwide on August 13 to celebrate the uniqueness, advantages, and disadvantages of being left-handed. The day also highlights the challenges faced by left-handers and promotes inclusivity in product design, education, and workplaces.
- International Left Handers Day is observed annually on August 13 to recognize the nearly 10% of the world’s population who are left-handed. It aims to spread awareness about their unique abilities and to address the difficulties they encounter in a predominantly right-handed world.
- The first observance of International Left Handers Day took place on August 13, 1976, initiated by Dean R. Campbell, founder of Left Handers International. The day gained global recognition in 1992 when Left Handers International launched International Left Handers Day worldwide.
- Scientific studies indicate that left-handedness is moderately heritable, with genetic factors accounting for approximately 25% of the variation. Other influences include prenatal conditions, birth complications, and environmental factors. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified multiple genes linked to handedness.
Main Point :- (i) One rare genetic variant, TUBB4B (Tubulin Beta 4B Class IVb), has been linked to handedness. This variant is about 2.7 times more common among left-handed individuals but is present in only about 0.1% of the population, making it a rare occurrence.
(ii) The brain’s hemispheres play a role in handedness: the right hemisphere generally controls the left hand, while the left hemisphere controls the right hand. In left-handed individuals, motor control dominance is reversed compared to right-handed individuals.
(iii) Studies have found that left-handed people may have a higher risk of certain psychiatric traits, such as schizophrenia and autism. Additionally, sinistrophobia refers to the fear or dislike of left-handedness or anything associated with the left side of the body.
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