KEY POINTS

  • 1 in 4 Apollo astronauts were lefties
  • Study found that left-handed people are better drivers
  • 10% of the world's population is left-handed

International Left-Handers Day is observed annually on Aug. 13 in order to raise awareness about everyday issues that lefties face.

The Left-Handers club in the United Kingdom reportedly launched the day in 1992.

"August 13th is a chance to tell your family and friends how proud you are of being left-handed, and also raise awareness of the everyday issues that lefties face as we live in a world designed for right-handers," the celebration’s official website states.

Here are a few interesting facts about lefties

  • Lefties reach puberty a few months after the right-handers
  • 1 in 4 Apollo astronauts were lefties
  • Out of the 5 original designers of the Macintosh computer, 4 were left-handers
  • Studies have shown that lefties adjust more readily to seeing underwater
  • They excel in sports such a tennis, baseball, and swimming
  • Research has shown that lefties are more affected by fear
  • A study found that on average, right-handed women live five years longer than left-handed women
  • The same study found that right-handed men lived 10 years longer than left-handed men
  • 10% of the world's population is left-handed and the highest rate of left-handedness is found in countries like Australia, North America, and western Europe
  • A study found that left-handed people are better drivers

A list of well-known figures that are left-handed –

  • Famous Leaders – Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama
  • Innovators – Bill Gates, Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg
  • Sports Stars - Lionel Messi, Mark Spitz, Pele, Paula Radcliffe, and Maradona
  • Scientists - Marie Curie, Sir Isaac Newton, and Alan Turing
  • Writers - James Baldwin, Lewis Carroll, and Helen Keller
  • Actors - Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Niall Horan, and Hugh Jackman
  • Actresses - Demi Moore, Angelina Jolie, Julia Roberts, and Jennifer Lawrence

Here are a few inspirational about left-handed people in general, courtesy Lefty Fretz -

  • "If the left half of the brain controls the right half of the body then only left-handed people are in the right mind."— W.C. Fields
  • "God made everyone right-handed, only the truly gifted overcome it." — Anonymous
  • "Lefties – in great demand but limited supply!" — Anonymous
  • "The left-handed are precious; they take places which are inconvenient for the rest." — Victor Hugo
Angelina Jolie Marvel
Angelina Jolie attends the premiere of Disney's "Dumbo" at El Capitan Theatre on March 11, 2019 in Los Angeles. Emma McIntyre/Getty Images