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Do you like to partake in unique National Days? Events like National Donut Day, National Gardening Day, and National Seashell Day may result in fun activities in your area or special sales. There are also plenty of National Days to commemorate influential characters. One such day is National Winnie the Pooh Day, celebrated on January 18th. We'll share some tidbits about the history behind the day and the character, as well as fun Winnie the Pooh-themed products if you want to make the day a little extra!
About National Winnie the Pooh Day
According to nationaldaycalendar.com, National Winnie the Pooh Day falls on January 18th. National Winnie the Pooh Day has been observed roughly since 1986, although the details on who founded it and why are fuzzy. What's so special about January 18th? That's the day Winnie the Pooh author A.A. Milne was born, in 1882. Most of his Winnie the Pooh characters were named after his son, Christopher Robin Milne, and his stuffed animals. (Minus Rabbit and Owl, who Milne himself added.) The first Winnie the Pooh book was published in 1926, after which the world fell in love with the stuffed animal.
Fun Winnie the Pooh Facts
- Christopher Robin Milne's bear was originally named Edward. His name change was inspired by Winnie, a Canadian black bear who served as a mascot in WWI. The bear later ended up at the London Zoo.
- The second half of Winnie's name, Pooh, comes from a friend's pet swan.
- While there is a Winnie the Pooh Museum in Pooh Corner Hartfield, UK, the original stuffed animals are on display in the New York Public Library children's section.
- The books were illustrated by E. H. Shepard, who designed Winnie the Pooh's looks from his son's stuffed teddy, Growler. Unfortunately, you cannot visit Growler because a neighbor's dog destroyed the toy.
- The Hundred Acre Wood is based on the Five Hundred Acre Wood in Ashdown Forest in East Sussex, England. Milne lived on the forest's northern edge and often took his son on walks there.
- Christopher's bear was featured in literature before the Winnie the Pooh stories. His first appearance was in a poem, "Teddy Bear", written in 1924. At the time, the bear's name was still Edward.
- The original Winnie the Pooh did not wear a red shirt as he does now. The red shirt was introduced by Stephen Sleisinger in 1932. The man bought the rights to Winnie the Pooh in 1930.
- Pooh earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2006, the character's 80th birthday.
- A.A. Milne purchased the original Pooh bear from the Harrods department store in Knightsbridge, London, in 1921.
- Ashdown Forest is now home to several Winnie the Pooh-themed sites inspired by the stories, including Pooh Sticks Bridge, The Heffalump Trap, Roo's Sandpit, and The Enchanted Place.
Winnie the Pooh Gifts
| Winnie the Pooh Slippers | Winnie the Pooh Keychain | Winnie the Pooh Backpack | Women's Winnie the Pooh Blazer |
Shop all Winnie the Pooh Gifts
Did you know Winnie the Pooh is one of the highest-grossing media franchises ever? The beloved bear has expanded well past the original children's books! If you love Winnie the Pooh or you have a friend or family member who does, it's easy enough to find cute Winnie the Pooh gifts. Find items like adorable Winnie the Pooh slippers, bags, clothing, and more, perfect for showing your love on Winnie the Pooh Day. (Or any other day!)
We hope you enjoyed learning about Winnie the Pooh and his official National Day! Are there any National Days that you love to celebrate? Which characters do you feel deserve their own National Day of recognition? We'd love to hear about it in the comments. Even if you aren't currently seeking a gift to give, remember Pooh's words: "A hug is always the right size."
