Happy Birthday Donald!

by Heather Long | More from this Blogger

09 Jun 2007 05:57 AM

Maybe it's the ageist in me, but Donald looks pretty snappy for 73 years old. Donald is a particular favorite of ours here at home - both my husband and I have always preferred Donald of the Disney characters featured in Mickey and the Gang.

The Wise Little Hen

Donald premiered in a Silly Symphony cartoon called The Wise Little Hen on June 9, 1934. My grandmother was just 14 years old and once upon a time, she told me about seeing the Disney cartoons featured in the theater. Donald's hot temper made him an audience darling. In the 1940s, Donald passed up Mickey Mouse for how many of his cartoons were featured in the theaters. There were a total of 128 Donald Duck cartoons and in 1938, the newspapers began featuring a daily comic strip. For 50 years, Clarence 'Ducky' Nash is the voice of Donald.

Good Heart & Good Intentions

So what was so attractive about this grumpy little duck? Donald always had a good heart and the best of intentions, at least - most of the time. Donald was stubborn. He was a go get 'em kind of character. He didn't let anything stand in his way. It didn't matter how badly he humiliated himself, he took it and he came back for more. He was no quitter. He doesn't lose without a fight. No matter how angry and frustrated he became, he would often attempt to reach his goals again and again until he found a way that worked.

True, Donald was a bit blind to his own faults, but he never gave up. As a child, I always admired that tenacity and while I can't say I credit my own tenacity to this wonderful Disney cartoon, I can say he inspired me. So Happy 73rd Birthday Donald! We're happy to have you in our lives - for four generations now.

With Father's Day right around the corner, if the father in your life loves Donald, he might enjoy this fun Donald Duck Giftset.

Related Articles:

The Magic Kingdom: Where to Meet Characters

The Three Caballeros (1944)

Learn more about Heather Long

Heather Long is 35 years old and currently lives in Wylie, Texas. She has been a freelance writer for six years. Her husband and she met while working together at America Online over ten years ago.

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Mrs. Perez (100) 12 Jun 2007 05:18 AM

I'm also a huge Disney fan even at the age of 45! Guess I'll just never grow up. What a place to just let go!! I have never been to Disneyland but, living in Florida I have lost count of how many times I have visited Disney World.

Jannyelise