On this day November 18th 1902 a US toymaker in Brooklyn, Morris Michton names a toy the teddy bear after US President Teddy Roosevelt.

The story goes that big game hunter President Teddy Roosevelt had been out hunting  with his pals and unable to find any bears to kill. An assistant to the President rounded up and  tied a black bear to a tree so he would have something to shoot at. The President refused to shoot the bear in such a manner as this was not sportsmanlike.

The Press got a hold of the story and cartoonist Clifford Berryman produced his drawing lampooning the President. which was published on November 16th 1902.

Morris Michton’s stuffed bear , now called a teddy bear became hugely successful and he went on to found the Ideal Toy Company.

Teddy Bear’s Picnic

If you go down in the woods today, you’re sure of a big surprise
If you go down in the woods today, you’d better go in disguise
For every bear that ever there was will gather there for certain
Because today’s the day the teddy bears have their picnic

Every teddy bear who’s been good is sure of a treat today
There’s lots of marvellous things to eat and wonderful games to play
Beneath the trees where nobody sees they’ll hide and seek as long as they please

That’s the way the teddy bears have their picnic

Picnic time for teddy bears
The little teddy bears are having a lovely time today
Watch them, catch them unawares and see them picnic on their holiday

See them gaily gad about
They love to play and shout
They never have any cares
At six o’clock their mummies and daddies will take them back home to bed
Because they’re tired little teddy bears

If you go down in the woods today, you better not go alone
It’s lovely down in the woods today, but safer to stay at home
For every bear that ever there was will gather there for certain
Because today’s the day the teddy bears have their picnic

Writer/s: JOHN W BRATTON, JIMMY KENNEDY
Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.