The high five – that iconic celebratory gesture where two people slap their raised palms together in a moment of shared triumph. It’s a universal symbol of joy, camaraderie, and success that crosses cultural boundaries, but its origins weren’t always clear. The story behind this ubiquitous gesture is surprisingly recent and rooted in the world of professional sports.
The Birth of a Cultural Phenomenon
On October 2, 1977, during the last day of the regular baseball season at Dodger Stadium, something remarkable happened that would change celebratory gestures forever. Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Dusty Baker had just hit his 30th home run, making the Dodgers the first team in baseball history to have four players with 30 or more home runs in a single season.
As Baker rounded the bases and approached home plate, his enthusiastic teammate Glenn Burke was waiting with his hand raised high in the air. In a spontaneous moment of jubilation, Baker reached up and slapped Burke’s hand – and the high five was born.
Glenn Burke: The Unsung Inventor
While both Baker and Burke are credited with this iconic moment, it’s Glenn Burke who is most often recognized as the true inventor of the high five. Burke, a charismatic and talented athlete, brought natural exuberance to everything he did. Unfortunately, Burke’s contributions to sports and popular culture remained largely unacknowledged during his lifetime.
As the first openly gay player in Major League Baseball, Burke faced significant challenges in his professional career. His invention of the high five stands as a lasting cultural contribution that transcended the boundaries of sports and became a universal expression of celebration.
From Sports to Global Phenomenon
Following its debut in 1977, the high five quickly spread throughout professional sports. By the early 1980s, it had moved beyond athletics into everyday life. The gesture’s simplicity and expressiveness made it perfect for adoption across cultures and contexts.
By 2025, researchers estimate that billions of high fives will be exchanged daily around the world. From business deals to playground achievements, the high five has become the go-to gesture for marking moments of shared success.
The Cultural Impact
What makes the high five so enduring is its democratic nature – anyone can participate regardless of age, language, or background. It requires no special skill, just the human desire to connect and celebrate.
The high five also represents something deeper in our social fabric – our need for physical connection and shared experience. In a world increasingly mediated by screens, the simple act of raising your hand to meet another’s remains a powerful reminder of our humanity.
Next time you raise your hand for a high five, remember Glenn Burke and Dusty Baker, whose spontaneous moment of celebration in 1977 gave the world a new way to say “we did it!” Their contribution to popular culture continues to bring people together in moments of joy, one palm slap at a time.
