Every year, International Lefthanders Day shines a spotlight on the unique 10 per cent of the world’s population who use their left hand as their dominant one.
From politics to sports, science and entertainment, left-handers have made a lasting imprint on history.
In politics, some of the most influential leaders have been left-handed. Former United States Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton are both known for their left-handed signatures on key documents.
During his presidency, Obama was often seen signing documents with his left hand.
Former President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta, is also left-handed. In 2015, during Obama’s state visit, both leaders were seen signing a visitor’s book with their left hand.
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga is also left-handed and is often seen writing and gesturing with his left hand during political events and public appearances.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the legendary Roman leader Julius Caesar are also part of this group. Netanyahu has been observed signing documents and holding utensils with his left hand during official engagements.
In the arts, history’s most iconic creative mind, Leonardo da Vinci, stands out. The Renaissance master’s notebooks and paintings reveal a distinctive left-handed style.
He often used mirror writing, writing from right to left with reversed letters that could be read normally only with a mirror.
In modern entertainment, stars like Angelina Jolie and Oprah Winfrey have shown that being left-handed is no barrier to global success.
Jolie is often spotted signing autographs, holding microphones or using utensils with her left hand at public events and film sets. Winfrey has long been seen writing and signing autographs with her left hand during her decades-long career in television.
Sports also have their share of famous left-handers. Football superstar Lionel Messi is admired not only for his unmatched skills but also for his precision with his left foot. While he plays with his left leg, he also writes with his left hand, a combination rare among professional athletes.
Former boxing heavyweight champion Mike Tyson was known for his powerful left-handed punches. Tyson initially fought in the southpaw stance early in his training, but later adopted an orthodox stance while still favouring his left hand. Outside the ring, he writes and signs with his left hand.
Every year on August 13, the world marks International Left-Handers Day to celebrate the uniqueness of left-handed people across the globe.
The day aims to raise awareness about the challenges and experiences faced by left-handed individuals in a predominantly right-handed world.
