Happy birthday, Mickey!

The iconic Mickey Mouse turns 92 years old this year, but he doesn’t look a day old since his release in 1928.

Mickey Mouse made his official debut on November 18, 1928, in the short film Steamboat Willie. Since then, Mickey Mouse has become an international mascot for Disney, being loved by millions around the world. However, Mickey wasn’t the first character Walt Disney created.

In 1927, Walt’s studio was under Universal Pictures while he was experimenting with a character named Oswald the Lucky Rabbit (A Brief History of Mickey Mouse). Oswald was a charming rabbit with long black ears and circle nose. He was loved by Universal and they demanded more short films featuring him. Walt was glad to receive such a response to Oswald. However, when it came to the rights, it got complicated. Universal explained that they owned the rights to the Lucky Rabbit, not the animators. With this, Universal Pictures took Walt’s animators and rabbit character, leaving him and his loyal friend and animator, Ub Iwerks. It was now up to them to create a character equally as successful as Oswald.

Together Disney and Iwerks were able to create the playful mouse we know and love today. Walt originally picked the name Mortimer, but his wife didn’t agree with it and suggested the name Mickey (Fifteen Fun Facts for Mickey Mouse’s Birthday). After his debut in Steamboat Willie, which was the first cartoon with synchronized sound, Mickey’s popularity skyrocketed. Not long after was Mickey premiering in new films and releasing merchandise.

Today, Mickey Mouse is one of the most iconic characters in the world, the staple of the Disney animation studios and theme parks. Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios theme park, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway attraction opened on March 4, 2020. This new technologically advanced ride is the newest addition to the parks and features the famous mouse along with other iconic characters.

As for how to celebrate at home, Disney has just announced that a new cartoon series featuring Mickey and his friends will be joining their streaming service, Disney+. The new series The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse will premiere on Mickey’s birthday, November 18, so don’t miss out!

Mickey Mouse Fun Facts:

• In Mickey’s ninth animation short, The Karnival Kid, his first words are Hot dog.
• The first Mickey doll was designed in 1930.
• Mickey Mouse Village was a possible name idea for Disneyland Park.
• The iconic comedian, Charlie Chaplin, was used as inspiration for Mickey Mouse’s movements.

Want to know more? Visit these sites:

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2014/11/happy-birthday-mickey-mouse-2/

http://content.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1859935,00.html