Teddy's Bear


The first official American bear was "Teddy's Bear" named after President Theodore Roosevelt. While on an unsuccessful, three-day bear hunting expedition, the President's staff made light of his inability to make a kill. In jest, they tied a wounded bear to a tree so Mr. Roosevelt would have an easy target; his sportsmanlike character, however, would not allow him to do so.

News of the bear-tying event spread like wildfire throughout the country. Well-known Washington Star newspaper cartoonist Clifford Berryman's illustration depicted the President holding his rifle while a small, toy-like bear stood behind him. The Teddy Roosevelt Association says that this cartoon led to the birth of "Teddy's Bear."