Happy 81st birthday Mickey

Mickey Mouse is 81 years-old (young?) today. Can you believe it? He looks amazing, doesn't he?

The character of Mickey Mouse made his debut on November 18, 1928, in a black and white cartoon called "Steamboat Willie." Disney celebrates this day as his official birthday. Today, Mickey can be seen on the Disney Channel's Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (sing with me: "hot dog, hot dog, hot diggity dog . . . "), in films, and of course at his regular haunts -- Disney Land and Disney World.

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1930's Mickey

Say what you will about the Disney empire, but this little mouse endures (and thrives really) 81 years later. I think that there is something cool about the fact that my kids are watching the same cartoon character that their grandparents watched when they were kids.

Turns out that as times changed, so did Mickey. The original Mickey was an impish, mischievious version of his modern-day, sweet-as-pie self. Everything from his outfit to his attitude have evolved over the years.

If you'd like to wish Mickey a happy birthday in person, you are in luck. Mickey Mouse and his usual cast of characters are going to be in Chicago this weekend at the 2009 Magnificent Mile Lights Festival on Saturday, November 21st. Mickey Mouse is the Grand Marshal of the parade that kicks off at 5:30 p.m. Mickey has the honor of illuminating over one million lights.

Come on out and wish him well in his 82nd year.