Happy Birthday Mickey Mouse!
The beloved Disney character made his big screen debut 88 years ago in "Steamboat Willie" and social media is full of birthday wishes, using #HappyBirthdayMickey.
There are so many ways to celebrate Mickey Mouse’s birthday but sweet treats might be our favorite! #HappyBirthdayMickey pic.twitter.com/gXhOqcjKtN
— WDW Today (@WDWToday) November 18, 2016
#HappyBirthdayMickey buttons being handed out @WaltDisneyWorld today! pic.twitter.com/XGUyGlastE
— WDW News Today (@WDWNT) November 18, 2016
To celebrate his 88th birthday, here are eight things everyone should know about the mouse of honor.
1. Mickey Mouse was not his original name
Creator Walt Disney originally named his cartoon creation Mortimer. Walt's wife, Lily, wasn't fond of the name and suggested Mickey, instead. The rest is history.
2. Mickey Mouse and Harry Potter have something in common
Both Mickey Mouse and Harry Potter have a similar origin story. Mickey's creator Walt Disney and Potter author J.K. Rowling both came up with their iconic characters while on the train.
3. Mickey Mouse saved Walt Disney's animation studio
Mickey Mouse was not Walt Disney's first attempt to create a cartoon icon. Disney created Oswald the Lucky Rabbitin 1927, however he lost the copyright to the project developers. The loss of potential income hit Disney hard and as he rode the train back to California, the idea of a mouse character was born.
4. Disney brought Mickey Mouse to life in more ways than one
Not only did Walt Disney bring Mickey Mouse to life, he also gave him his original voice.
5. Mickey Mouse has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Mickey Mouse was the first animated character to receive the honor on Nov. 18, 1978 in honor of his 50th birthday.
6. Mickey Mouse: Academy Award winner
Of his more than 130 film appearances, Mickey Mouse has been nominated for 10 Academy Awards and has one win for "Lend a Paw" in 1942.
7. No Disneyland?
Can you imaging the world without a Disneyland? Walt Disney almost decided to the name the California theme park "Mickey Mouse Village".
8. Are Mickey and Minnie married?
Nothing in any of the Disney films specifically mention the famous couple's relationship status; in Facebok terms: 'It's complicated". However, in "real life" Mickey and Minnie mouse were married. In 1991, Russi Taylor, an actress who voiced Minnie Mouse, married Wayne Allwine, who voiced Mickey Mouse. The couple were together until Wayne died in 2009.
