cats – Illinois Highlights

In 2002, the International Fund for Animal Welfare created International Cat Day, which is celebrated on August 8^th. This day is dedicated to raising awareness for cats and educating the public on ways to help and protect them. Although different countries might have national celebrations for cats on other days, International Cat Day on August 8^th is intended to be celebrated worldwide.

Ever since cats first began domesticating themselves in around 7500 BCE, humans have loved and celebrated them. In Ancient Egypt, they were praised for killing venomous snakes and protecting the Pharaoh, they were used as a representation for the sun god Ra in the Book of the Dead, and the goddess Bastet was often characterized as a cat. In Norse mythology, two grey cats fought alongside the goddess Freyja and pulled her chariot. For centuries, cats have been considered good luck in Russia, and many cats have continuously guarded the Winter Palace since the reign of Empress Elizabeth.

Anyone who has ever owned a cat – or, rather, has been owned by one – knows that cats are well aware of their venerated status in mythology and folklore, and expect that same level of worship today.

Finding images for this post was particularly fun for me, as I am a cat lover myself, and happily jump at any chance to celebrate them. Just like humans, there are images of cats sprinkled throughout history, both with and without the families they’ve chosen. Please enjoy these images of cats from the Oak Park Public Library, the Chicago History Museum, Lewis University, the Illinois State Museum, and the Newberry Library.  

black and white photo of the Hemingway women with one of them holding a cat — Marcelline, Madelaine, Ursula and Carol Hemingway with Wuzzy the cat, December 1919. December 29, 1919. Oak Park Public Library. The Early Years – Ernest and Marcelline Hemingway in Oak Park Collection. Courtesy of Oak Park Public Library and the Ernest Hemingway Foundation of Oak Park.

black and white image of cat on a porch standing in the shadow of a tipped over rocking chair. — Cat and shadows on porch. Circa 1962. Photograph by Declan Haun. Chicago History Museum. Prints and Photographs Collection. Courtesy of Chicago History Museum.

sepia-toned black and white image of a young girl holding a cat while sitting on a hammock on a porch — Anna Cheadle on a hammock with her cat. 1915. Lewis University. Bruce Cheadle Papers. Courtesy of Lewis University.

color photo of a calico-coat cat sitting on a pile of manilla folders with papers. — Work from home companions. March 19, 2020. Photograph by M. Mahoney. Illinois State Museum. Illinois Stories – COVID-19. Courtesy of Illinois State Museum.

black and white image of a cat in a cage on a luggage carrier train. — Cat in cage, Railway Express Depot, Union Station, Chicago, May 1948. May 1948. Newberry Library. Daily Life Along the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. Courtesy of Newberry Library.

View the full The Early Years – Ernest and Marcelline Hemingway in Oak Park, Prints and Photographs, Bruce Cheadle Papers, Illinois Stories – COVID-19, and the Daily Life Along the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Collections on the IDHH.

View more items related to Cats and Kittens on the IDHH.

Happy World Cat Day! Also called International Cat Day, the holiday was first established by the International Fund for Animal Welfare in 2002. However, national holidays celebrating our feline friends have observed in countries around the world for decades. To celebrate, the IDHH spotlights items from Illinois State University’s collections.
First, behold the artwork of talented youngsters who loved their cats enough to immortalize them in pencil and watercolors. The paintings below are from the International Collection of Child Art and were created by children ages 8 through 13 from Colombia, Wales, and the U.S. The children’s attention to detail show how dear their furry friends were.

Child’s color watercolor painting of an orange cat with a blue ball — Cat. 1969. Illinois State University. International Collection of Child Art. Permission to display was given by Illinois State University Milner Library.

Child’s color watercolor painting of a black and white cat standing of a kitten of the same color — My Cat and Kitten. 1960. Illinois State University. International Collection of Child Art. Permission to display was given by Illinois State University Milner Library.

Child’s black and white pencil drawing of a cat in grass — Caption: Observation Drawing of a Cat. 1980. Illinois State University. International Collection of Child Art. Permission to display was given by Illinois State University Milner Library.

Next, here are toys from Japan featured from the Ethnology Teaching Collection, including a papier-mâché cat in a basket and the famous good luck charm of the waving cat, or ‘Maneki-Neko’. These figurines were placed in shop windows, inviting customers in and waving good-bye on their way out.

One piece molded and painted papier mache cat in basket. Painted red, white and green — Paper Cat in Basket. No date. Illinois State University. Ethnology Teaching Collection. Permission to display was given by Illinois State University Milner Library.

One piece molded and painted cat figure. Painted red, white and green. Has wooden toy and silk rattle on back — Paper Cat with Toy. No date. Illinois State University. Ethnology Teaching Collection. Permission to display was given by Illinois State University Milner Library.

Cat figure, painted white and red. Called 'Maneki-Neko' in Japanese. Used to set in store window to invite customers in and bring good luck — Maneki-Neko Cat. No date. Illinois State University. Ethnology Teaching Collection. Permission to display was given by Illinois State University Milner Library.

See all items in the IDHH related to cats.

Tag: cats

International Cat Day: Celebrating Cats Since 2002

World Cat Day