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Life IS history in the making. Every word we say, everything we do becomes history the moment it is said or done. Life void of memories leaves nothing but emptiness. For those who might consider history boring, think again: It is who we are, what we do and why we are here. We are certainly individuals in our thoughts and deeds but we all germinated from seeds planted long, long ago.

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Happy 84th Birthday, Mickey Mouse!

This Day in History: November 18, 1928



M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E!
 
Mouse
news.nationalgeographic.com
Who would have ever thought the  animation of a 'mouse' would bring so much joy and laughter to both young and old for decades to come?!. First pegged as Mortimer Mouse, Walt Disney rechristened the character Mickey Mouse at the urging of his wife, Lillian.

The first successful sound-synchronized animated cartoon, Walt Disney's "Steamboat Willie" starring Mickey Mouse, premiered at Universal's Colony Theater in New York City, November 18, 1928. It was a smash hit! Not until 50 years later, in 1978, did Mickey Mouse have an official birthday when Disney Archivist Dave Smith declared November 18, 1928 as the first general public appearance of Mickey Mouse. 

Cartoon Synopsis: Steamboat Willie
 


Steamboat Willie Cartoon Picture
Title card of Steamboat Willie
en.wikipedia.org

A loose parody of Buster Keaton's Steamboat Bill, Mickey is a roustabout on Pegleg Pete's river steamer. After a goat eats the sheet music, Mickey and Minnie use various objects at hand (including a cat on unedited versions!) to create music.



Pete confronts Mickey at the helm of the steamboat
en.wikipedia.org

The tale of a then black-and-white Mickey's adventures at sea served as a springboard for the legendary Disney empire. The antics and adventures of Mickey provided some much needed comfort during the Great Depression years.
 
 
 

 Walt Disney Animations Steamboat Willie (1928)
The Classic Mickey Mouse Cartoon
 


 
 Mickey's Rival - Mickey Mouse in Living Color (1936)
 
 
Mickey!

Posted by at 6:55 AM

4 comments:

  1. Micki Peluso is the author of "And the Whippoorwill Sang"November 18, 2012 at 10:09 PM

    Wow--I knew I grew up with Mickey Mouse but I never realized he's older than me!! Thank goodness he is!! He seems to get younger with each year--hmmm.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownNovember 18, 2012 at 10:12 PM

      I don't think this Mickey will ever show his age! LOL:>)

      Delete
  2. Dicy McCulloughNovember 18, 2012 at 10:21 PM

    I love Mickey Mouse and have made several trips to Disneyworld to see him.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sandra NachlingerNovember 19, 2012 at 2:49 AM

    Thanks for the reminder of Mickey's birthday! I grew up with him but never realized he was so old.

    ReplyDelete

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