Man has relied on the handwritten word for centuries. It has evolved from symbolic pictures to ornate copperplate to a sleek, modern streak across the page. Did you know cursive is no longer being taught in many schools? I quickly realized this is one holiday we all should be made aware of.
For decades in elementary schools around the nation, cursive alphabets would be hung above the traditional blackboards. We were taught at an early age to sign our names. A handwritten signature was necessary on legal documents. As we approached the end of the first quarter of the 21st century, did we ever think cursive handwriting would not be taught in half the schools in the USA?
When did this holiday start?
This holiday was started in 1977 by the Writing Instrument Manufacturers Association (WIMA). They did not pick a random date. The reason they picked January 23rd was because of the patriot John Hancock. January 23rd is his birthday. If you remember your American history there was a little document called the Declaration of Independence signed in Philadelphia, Pa. The story told is that Mr. Hancock boldly signed the document saying at the time he didn’t want King George to have any trouble reading his signature.
what’s happening now?
Written signatures are already becoming less frequently needed. We are in the digital age. I’ve signed many documents online, tax forms included. My husband purchased a car without touching a piece of paper. At the end of the transaction instead of a file folder of papers, he was given a USB drive. Have you experienced similar situations?
At some point signatures will be like the beautiful copperplate style once taught, no longer practiced. With the advent of electronic documents, paper documents become obsolete. On the surface cursive handwriting seems a simple topic but it is threatened.
A Wikipedia article gives us hope handwriting will not die out completely: in 2001, the start of the 21st century, the No Child Left Behind Act was in place. It encouraged teaching cursive in elementary to 5th grade. In 2010 the Common Core State Standards for English did not include cursive instruction. It was adopted by 41 states. Since 2016 several states have added cursive writing back into their curriculums. As of July 2024, there are 24 states that require cursive instruction in public schools. If you’d like to see the article with footnotes, click here: Cursive handwriting instruction in the United States – Wikipedia
Why keep cursive alive?
Educators have long been aware of the value of handwritten notes. It’s a fact that it helps comprehension and information retention. It also helps us in other valuable ways.
Journaling has long been suggested to improve one’s mental health. It can help us manage worries and negative thoughts. It can help us to find thankfulness in small events in daily life. Taking time as we glide a pen across the page we can reflect on our experiences. This can help us to better express our thoughts and understand our emotions.
Recently I investigated Bullet Journaling. Ryder Carroll is its creator. He is a proponent of using a handwritten method to track thoughts and goals. He points out digital provides too many distractions. Staying focused and feeling overwhelmed are things many are experiencing.
To stay focused at the end of the month one decides which incomplete items get carried over. Since this requires writing them on next month’s page, many people do not like this step. Digitally we would copy and paste. The key component is evaluating if the items are necessary. Taking time to review is important. It removes unnecessary items from our agendas. A vital skill we all need.
What can you do?
Holding a writing instrument forces us to move slower. Relax and enjoy the feel of gliding over the paper doing any of these activities:
- Practice calligraphy or experiment with unique style alphabets – I found a calendar years ago that offered a variety of fonts styles. I have one now that I’ve modified and slip into it when taking notes.
- Start a Journal – Writing down your thoughts and feeling is known to have positive effects. A gratitude journal can be simple and rewarding. Both your current mood and long term mental health can be improved. Take time discovering and documenting your dreams, your goals, your everyday activities.
- Write a letter or note to a friend or relative. You can use any paper but it’s fun to pick a design that appeals to you and the recipient. If you are new to letter writing try a blank note card, A2 size (5.5×4.25). It’s the perfect size to create your first masterpiece. If you are stymied about what to say see this blog for ideas.
- How to Write Heartfelt Card Messages: Tips and Pointers – Paper Crafted Bliss
Try an activity that helps to celebrate this national holiday, have fun exploring your handwriting abilities and encourage others. If you need some cards check out Paper Crafted Bliss on Etsy. Please share it with others. If you have other ideas or do any of the suggested activities, please reply in the comment section. Thank you for stopping by!
Paper Crafted Bliss 