January 20: Happy Birthday Buzz

On this day in 1930, astronaut Buzz was born ... not Lightyear ... but the astronuat who is the inspiration for the Toy Story space traveler: Buzz Aldrin.

Aldrin, born in Montclair, New Jersey, became the second human to ever set foot on the Moon back in July 1969 during the historic Apollo 11 flight.
The photo to the left (taken by fellow Apollo crew mate Neil Armstrong) is of Buzz Aldrin on the lunar surface. But just how Mr. Lightyear got in there is a complete mystery.

Click HERE for much more January 20 Disney history.

January 19: In Memory Of

On this day in 1997 Adriana Caselotti, the voice of Snow White, Disney's first feature-length cartoon heroine, passed away at the age of 80. A 1994 Disney Legend, she was just 18 when she supplied the speaking and singing voice for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

"I'd never worked in show business before ("Snow White"). I feel very blessed. Not everyone gets the chance to be part of a genuine classic." -Adriana Caselotti

Click HERE for more January 19 Disney history.

January 18: Winnie the Pooh Day

In celebration of the birth of Pooh's creator A.A. Milne (born on this day 

in 1882), we celebrate Winnie the Pooh Day.

Click HERE to learn more about Milne and other January 18 

Disney events.

January 17: Happy Birthday Disney Legend Betty White

See much more January 17 Disney history HERE.

January 12: Animators Born Today

These 3 animators share a birthday on this January 12.

Hugh Hennesy in 1891 - an artist, animator, art director and layout artist whose credits include The Three Caballeros, Song of the South, So Dear To My Heart, Peter Pan, and Lady and the Tramp.

Ray Aragon in 1927 - an animation artist whose Disney credits include Sleeping Beauty, One Hundred and One Dalmatians, and Goofy's Freeway Troubles. (His post-Disney career includes such classics as Yellow Submarine and The Iron Giant.)

John Lasseter (pictured above) in 1957 - co-founder of Pixar who actually began working for Disney as a Jungle Cruise skipper at Disneyland. Famously known for his work on Toy Story, A Bug's Life, and Toy Story 2, today he is chief creative officer at both Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios.

On a sadder note, legendary animator Marc Davis (one of Walt's Nine Old Men) passed away on this day in 2000. Coincidentally he had recommended Ray Aragon for a job at Disney back in the 1950s.

Click HERE for more January 12 Disney history.

January 08: Double Dose of Swamp Fox

Francis Marion was a military officer in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. Due to his irregular methods of battle, Marion was given the nickname Swamp Fox and is today considered one of the fathers of modern guerrilla warfare. Between 1959-1961 Disney produced a series of live-action television shows based on Marion starring Leslie Nielsen as Swamp Fox.

On this day in 1960 and exactly a year later in 1961, Walt Disney Presents aired episodes 4 and 7 (of the 8-part mini-series).

Click HERE to learn about these episodes and more January 08 Disney history.

January 01: Let's Have a Parade!

The Tournament of Roses Parade (also referred to as simply the Rose Parade) is a uniquely American New Year's Day event that features flower-covered floats, marching bands, equestrians, and a college football game. (Although if New Year's falls on a Sunday, it is held on January 2.) The annual parade was first held in 1890 in Pasadena, California and today is watched in person by hundreds of thousands of spectators (and many more on network television). Every year a Grand Marshal is chosen for the parade by the President of the Tournament.

On this day in 2000 Roy E. Disney (nephew of Walt Disney and son of Roy O. Disney) led the 111th Tournament of Roses as the Grand Marshal. This made him and Walt the first and only grand marshals in Tournament history who were from the same family (Walt served back in 1966).
Roy and his wife, along with Mickey Mouse (in his Fantasia outfit) and Donald Duck rode down the parade route in a decorated convertible.

A unique feature of that year's parade was a "human theme banner" made entirely of people. Presented by The Walt Disney Company, it featured 2000 colorfully costumed Southern California high school students creating a formation which spelled out - "Parade, Celebration 2000". The shape and color of the unit changed on musical cue to read "Fantasia 2000" (Disney's newest release at the time which opened in IMAX theaters on this same day).

"For my entire life, I've been associated with a company that makes dreams come true, and now I get to be on the receiving end. I think that every kid that grows up in Southern California dreams of being in the Rose Parade, and I certainly was no exception." -Roy E. Disney

Happy New Year!

Click HERE for more January 01 Disney history.