Dec. 2nd Walt Disney Day

December 2nd Walt Disney Day

Walt Disney was born In 1901, he became an artist and creator after returning from service in the Red Cross during World War 1. There is little doubt that he founded the worlds largest entertainment industry when he created Mickey Mouse. His dynasty was known as the “Happiest Place on Earth” and may still be but it is definitely different than what he started. Is it better or worse, well you be the judge of that. There is no doubt that he set out to make the world better place for everyone and he succeeded. He suffered for his art, struggled against the odds and prevailed. We honor his memory the first Monday of December.

How to celebrate – Read more about Walt Disney’s life. Visit one of Disney’s parks. Watch his original works on you tube.

June 9th National Donald Duck Day

One of Disney’s most beloved characters made his first appearance on June 9th, 1934… Donald Fauntleroy Duck, “The Wise Hen” episode. Mickey obviously needed some company. I am sure Walt felt this new character would ‘quack’ everyone up, and he did. If you think about most of Disney’s characters, originally, they were creatures not often thought of as friendly household creatures. Mice and duck were never animals that you kept in your house as a pet. (Well, almost never) There is some irony that over the years we have invited them in our homes weekly via the television.

How to celebrate – Go to Disneyland or Disney World. Watch “The Wise Hen”. See how many of Donald’s relatives you can list without looking them up.

June 9th National Donald Duck Day

Today, 1934, Donald Duck was created. Apparently Mickey needed a friend! He first appeared in “The Wise Hen”, a Disney cartoon easily found on YouTube. His look has changed a little over the years but his basic character has stayed pretty much the same.

Disney was a master at creating characters that we new and entertaining but they nearly all seem to resemble people we know in real life, or at least the characteristics of real people we know. And yet, they still seem to retain the nature of the animals they represent.

His real name is Donald F. Duck., the F standing for “Fauntleroy”, for which I assume there is some inside joke there we may never know. You could say he was born to be a film and television star. I am sure, his character, has helped make Disney very, very rich.

He has also been known as Maui Mallard, Frank Duck, Fred, The Duck Avenger, Paperinik, Super Duck and Double Duck! His closest relatives include the Duck Family, Scrooge McDuck, Ludwig Von Duck, Hewy, Dewey and Louie and the Clan McDuck.

How to celebrate – Watch “The Wise Hen”. Go to Disney World, Disney land and see Donald in person. Enjoy all the Disney characters.

 

June 9th National Donald Duck Day

Today is Donald Duck’s birthday, June 9th, 1934. He first appeared in “The Wise Hen” as a counter for Mickey Mouse. (Can’t really say he is an enemy because they are friends). Drawn by Al Taliaferro, Carl Banks and Dona Rosa originally with Clarence Nash being the original voice (Currently being done by Tony Anseimo).

Donald has several personalities captured in several characters. Known also as Maui Duck, Frank Duck, Fred, Duck Avenger, Paperinik (In Italy), Super Duck (In the UK) and Double Duck he is still best known as Donald.

Did you know Donald has a middle name? Donald F. Duck, F. standing for “Fauntleroy”. That gives him a flair of Royalty! (Which I am sure he enjoys) It’s funny how the character and personality given a drawing make them come alive in our eyes. Of course that’s what they are supposed to do and Disney was a master at it.

Even Donald’s relatives have become famous. Daisey Duck – his girlfriend, Uncles Scrooge McDuck, Ludwig Von Drake, Nephews Hewy, Dewey and Louie and family members Clan McDuck. They all have a back story, a life of their own making Donald’s life even more believable.

How to celebrate – Go on You Tube and watch one of Donald’s many videos. Visit Disney World or Disneyland. Do your best Donald impression.

November 18th Mickey Mouse’s Birthday

One of America’s most beloved animated characters is Disney’s Mickey Mouse – though he did not start out that way.

Mickey started out as Oswald the Rabbit in 1927, created by the Disney Brothers for Universal Studios. His life was short lived and so was the the Brothers’ activities with Universal. Back on their own, the Brothers created Mortimer Mouse which also had 2 animated shorts before Walt’s wife suggested maybe the name Mickey would be better. November 18th, 1928 Mickey Mouse was born and he has never looked back since.

Mickey’s first animated short with a voice was “Karnival Kid”, though he had previously appeared in “Steamboat Willie” and his first script was “Plane Crazy”. In 1935, Fred Moore made Mickey a little more lovable and movable as Mickey took on a new look after he had gone nationwide in 1930.

The original Mickey looked surprisingly a lot like Oswald the Rabbit! His first fan club outside of California was in Salem, Oregon where he help serve as a fundraiser to the Salvation Army. He first appeared in Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade in 1934.

Joined by his friends Minnie, Donald, Goofy, and Pluto, Mickey sort of joined a vaudeville act and became the character we all know, and sort of love, these days. Later on, the Mickey Mouse club was formed.

How to celebrate – Go visit Mickey!  Join the Mickey Mouse club. See if you can create your own Mickey type characters and perhaps start your own empire.