To honor National Handwriting Day in 2009, more than 30,000 children from all parts of the country and the world participated in a campaign, “Mail to the Chief.” A huge sackful of the children’s letters sharing their hopes, concerns, and
To honor National Handwriting Day in 2009, more than 30,000 children from all parts of the country and the world participated in a campaign, “Mail to the Chief.” A huge sackful of the children’s letters sharing their hopes, concerns, and advice with the president were presented during a Capitol Hill ceremony and delivered to the White House.
Children were given an opportunity to write in their very best handwriting, express their own thoughts, and were able to participate in a national and world influencing event.
National Handwriting Day, which was Saturday, was established in 1977. Its purpose is to create public awareness of the importance of handwriting, to improve the legibility of people’s penmanship, and to re-discover this singular, unique avenue of expressing one’s individuality. Cursive writing is the channel through which the subconscious can freely express itself through its graphic language.
National Handwriting Day is associated with John Hancock’s birthday. He is noted for his large, legible, and bold signature found on the Declaration of Independence. John Hancock, the first to sign the Declaration of Independence, made sure that King George could easily read it, and also, that the world would take notice through his impressive signature. “Put your John Hancock here,” relates to signing our name.
Signatures are meant to represent the nature of the writer. The word “signature’ is composed of two expressions, sign and nature. National Handwriting Day reminds us to create a clear, legible signature, one that honors who we are and is a sign to others of our inner character.
Celebrate National Handwriting Day by writing a note, a message, or a letter in your very best handwriting to someone you appreciate, or would like to offer words of hope and encouragement. Allow your creative thoughts to flow through your fingers and pen onto a bright, colorful note card or stationery. Let your personal, thoughtful touch be felt.
Sign with a clear, legible signature. This potential is in your hand.
• Angeline Welk of Princeville is a professional handwriting analyst. She writes this regular column for The Garden Island and maintains a Web site at ourlivingalphabet.com. She can be reached at alefangel@gmail.com.
