| November 18, 2003, marked the
75th anniversary of Mickey Mouse, who debuted in the first synchronized
sound cartoon, "Steamboat Willie," on November 18, 1928. The Walt Disney
Company is honoring Mickey Mouse's 75th Anniversary by kicking off 18 months
of celebration beginning at Walt Disney World® Resort with the unveiling
of 75 uniquely designed, 700-pound, 6-foot-tall Mickey statues. The program
is called "Celebrate Mickey: 75 InspEARations" and it is a tribute to Mickey
from an impressive array of his friends that includes Disney Legends, as
well as actors, artists and athletes. Participating artists include Wayne
Allwine, Jerry Bruckheimer, Ellen Degeneres, Andreas Deja, Jamie Lee Curtis,
Annette Funicello, James Gandolfini, Tom Hanks, Tony Hawk, Elton John,
John Travolta and Wyland, to name a few. After touring across the United
States, the 75 InspEARations all visited Washington DC (plus a special 76th Mickey created just for Washington), where they were on display at the Ronald Reagan Building as part of the annual Cherry Blossom Festival prior to being auctioned for charity later in 2005. |
