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Plush Animal Lover's Day celebrates plush animals.
The legend is that it was created in the late 1980s by a collectibles dealer named Royal Selangor and that it was initially Teddy Bears Picnic Day.
We can't confirm that.
Royal Selangor is a Malaysian pewter manufacturer, actually the largest in the world. They have nothing to do with plush animals but everything to do with pewter collectibles.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF STUFFED ANIMALS (PLUSHIES)
As for starting this as Teddy Bear Picnic Day, that, too, is problematic.
Teddy Bear Picnic Day does exist on July 10. It is a historical anniversary supported by the National Parks Service and Theodore Roosevelt Nature and History Association, which holds periodic Teddy Bear Picnics to educate children on Theodore Roosevelt and the creation of the National Park System. As there is no historical relevance to the date chosen (October 28), it's hard to believe this is how this day came to be. It is most likely an unofficial event that grew out of custom.
But, there is a story here. Where did plushies come from?
Ancient Egyptians were the first people to create stuffed toys, most of which were dolls.
However, modern stuffed animals were invented in Germany by a woman with poliomyelitis—leg paralysis, named Margarete Steiff.
In 1880 Steiff created a company that made small stuffed animals for women who sewed as cute pin cushions. The first was a little elephant that little kids rummaging through their mom's sewing basket reallocated to better use.
In 1897 her nephew Richard Steiff joined the company, and, in 1902, they created 100 units of Bear 55PB. These stuffed bears had mohair fur and moveable arms and legs. Steiff brought the bears to the Leipzig Toy Fair, where they enchanted an American businessman who ordered 3,000 units. Within five years, he went from selling 100 bears to nearly one million under the name "Teddy Bear," a name approved by and honoring US president Theodore Roosevelt.
Steiff's nephew expanded the line by adding different animals and creating one of the first branding statements: All Steiff animals have a button sewn in the ear.
Margarete died in 1909, but her company lives on today. It's known for its stuffed animals and children's clothing.
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