Observed on Aug. 13, International Left-Handers Day celebrates the lefties who make up about 10% to 15% of people in Western countries.
The Left-Handers Club launched the day in 1990 to highlight left-handed pride and everyday frustrations. Left-handed brains are not “backward,” but handedness is linked to how the brain’s two halves specialize; most lefties still have language mainly on the left, though more show mixed or right-side patterns than right-handers. Researchers think genetics, brain development and environment all play roles.
Since scissors, desks, notebooks and many tools often favor right hands, lefties become lifelong experts at adapting each day.
– Staff report with AI assist*, The Today 100
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