Today is birthday day. While one of my friends is celebrating his 26th birthday today, he's sharing it with the US Marine Corps' 234th birthday, Sesame Street's 40th birthday, and the stop motion animated duo Wallace & Gromit's 20th birthday.
40 years ago today, Sesame Street aired its first episode! Back in the '60s educational television was a new idea and the Carnegie Institute provided the Children's Workshop an $8 million grant to revolutionize television. The main goal was to provide children,
especially those in low-income areas, an opportunity to learn and prepare to go to school while using the most engaging techniques possible. With large corporations like Xerox, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and Ford adding in their own dollars, Sesame Street premiered on November 10, 1969 to almost 2/3s of the nation's televisions.
Sesame Street's muppets and people taught a lot of us numbers, letters, days of the week, and colors. They also encouraged us to brush our
teeth, to look both ways before crossing the street, and to eat healthfully (although it kind of irks me that Cookie Monster has to eat vegetable before his cookies now). They also introduce a lot of kids to the real life hard ships of divorce, the death of loved ones, the current recession, and a whole host of other things that can be traumatic in a child's life. During its first season Big Bird was on the cover of
Time Magazine, and the corresponding article inserted that not only was the show the best children's show, it was also the best show for parents! Imagine that - television that prompts children and their parents to come together, learn a little something, and then have a jumping off point for discussions!
While they have a lot more competition now a days, Sesame Street is still a staple in children's television - and from me to you, I think that's awesome! Where else are a giant bird, a grouch in a trash can, and a cookie eating monster all going to be so helpful and cool? So happy birthday Sesame Street, and I wish you many more!
