The Host with the Most: Fast Facts for Mickey Mouse’s Birthday
By: Emma Fasnacht
Oh boy! Mickey Mouse, the iconic character that has brought the world together for generations, turns 94 on November 18. Growing up with all the classic cartoons and specials featuring the mouse and his pals, I feel as if many don’t know a lot about the eye-opening information that has defined his career up to this very moment. Thus, in honor of this special day, here are some fast facts you may not have known about the Big Cheese himself!
1. Mickey was not the mouse’s original name.
That’s right. It was Walt Disney’s wife, Lillian, who suggested the name change. Even though a character named Mortimer did eventually appear in later works, Mickey was thought of as a peppier name for the cheery mouse. Let’s be honest, Mickey rolls off the tongue a lot better.
2. Mickey Mouse has his very own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Yup, Mickey is one of 17 fictional characters to earn such an honor. For his 50th birthday, he was dedicated the right way, and the photos from the ceremony are simply adorable with Minnie by his side!
3. Ever wonder why Mickey wears those white gloves?
Multiple sources have indicated that the gloves help to differentiate Mickey’s hands from the rest of his body. It’s a clever little animation tactic that has stuck not only with Mickey, but some of his other pals as well!
4. Mickey Mouse for President
Mickey is the most common individual to be a write-in candidate in many types of elections, not just the Presidential election every four years. The Mouse always get votes, but lawmakers do deem bad elections if he doesn’t get any votes, despite them being discarded. Your vote matters!
5. “Steamboat Willie” was NOT the beginning of Mickey Mouse’s career.
Everyone knows the tiny captain’s whistle in the 1928 Silly Symphony cartoon. However, before becoming captain, the Mouse was featured in two other shorts– “Plane Crazy” and “The Gallopin’ Gaucho.” After positive audience reviews at test screenings, they, unfortunately, never got picked up by distributors and have remained forgotten about ever since. Nevertheless, “Steamboat Willie” remains the most well-known Mickey short to date since its premiere.
Now, you are equipped with the knowledge for your next trivia night, or any other event where these facts may come in handy! It has been a great pleasure presenting a little bit of DIStory to get you through the rest of the semester.
Remember, you’re never too old for a little bit of magic– see you real soon!
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