It’s one of the most universal gestures in the world—but it didn’t even exist until 1977. This short narrated documentary traces the unexpected origins of the high five to a single moment in Major League Baseball—when Dodgers teammates Dusty Baker and Glenn Burke unknowingly created an icon of celebration.>
Narrated by Marc Scott, a documentary narrator for history and pop culture. Explore more on my documentary narration page.
Transcript
The high five didn’t exist until 1977.
No ancient cultures.
No sports traditions.
Nothing.
Then came a Dodgers game.
October 2nd. Dusty Baker hits his 30th home run of the season.
As he crosses home plate, teammate Glenn Burke throws up his hand.
Baker slaps it.
And just like that…
The high five was born.
It wasn’t planned.
It wasn’t invented.
It just happened.
But Glenn Burke started using it everywhere—
To celebrate, to connect, to lift people up.
And soon, it spread.
Locker rooms. Classrooms. Airports. Everywhere.
Today, it’s one of the most universal gestures in the world.
All from a single swing… and an open palm.
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