Today’s Wonder of the Day was inspired by Adalia from Oak Lawn, IL. Adalia Wonders, “Was there a name before "Mickey Mouse"?” Thanks for WONDERing with us, Adalia!

Today’s Wonder of the Day stars a black mouse. He can talk, sing and dance. You’ll usually find him wearing red shorts with two large buttons in the front, big yellow shoes, and white gloves. Who are we talking about? Mickey Mouse, of course!

Would you believe Mickey Mouse is over 80 years old? It’s true! He was created by two great WONDERers. Their names were Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks, and they brought Mickey to life at The Walt Disney Studio in 1928. Since he’s a cartoon character, he looks as young today as he always has!

Mickey Mouse made his debut in November 1928 in an animated cartoon called “Steamboat Willie.” Since that time, Mickey Mouse has become one of the most famous and easily recognizable cartoon characters around the world.

Since 1928, Mickey Mouse has starred in over 130 movies. Most were short films, but a few have been full-length features. Mickey Mouse’s “Lend a Paw” won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film in 1942. In recognition of the Mouse’s popularity, he became the first cartoon character to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1978.

Mickey Mouse was a star in more than just films, though. Since 1930, he has been featured in comic strips, comic books, television shows, video games, theme park rides, and more merchandise than you could imagine!

In addition to Mickey Mouse’s signature circular ears, one of the most unique things about the character is his shy, high, squeaky voice. Walt Disney himself was the voice of Mickey Mouse up until the mid-1940s. When he became too busy running The Walt Disney Studio to voice Mickey Mouse, he handed over Mickey’s voice duties to actor Jimmy MacDonald.

We WONDER if he would’ve been as popular if his name hadn’t been changed, though. Walt Disney originally wanted to name him Mortimer Mouse. Disney’s wife, Lillian, convinced him to change it. That’s how Mickey Mouse came to be.

Today, you can usually find Mickey hanging out with Minnie Mouse, his dog Pluto, and friends like Donald Duck and Goofy. Do you have a favorite Mickey Mouse cartoon or movie? There are many to choose from. A lot of people consider Fantasia to be one of their favorites!

Standards: CCRA.L.3, CCRA.L.6, CCRA.R.1, CCRA.R.2, CCRA.R.4, CCRA.R.10, CCRA.SL.1, CCRA.SL.2, CCRA.W.3, CCRA.L.1, CCRA.L.2, NCAS.A.1, NCAS.A.2, NCAS.A.3

Wonder What's Next?

Tomorrow’s wispy Wonder of the Day is way up high in the sky!