Happy 82nd birthday, Mickey Mouse!

The Walt Disney Company celebrates November 18th as Mickey Mouse's birthday because it signifies the release date of the landmark toon "Steamboat Willie." Directed by Walt Disney, it was released in 1928 and its title is a parody of the Buster Keaton film "Steamboat Bill Jr."
Truth be told, Mickey was on celluloid prior to 'Steamboat.' Mouse House geeks will tell you that he earlier appeared in the silent tune "Plane Crazy" on May 15, 1928. The flagship "Steamboat Willie" was his first cartoon with sound.

His most famous screen appearance came perhaps with "Fantasia," the classic 1940 Disney film. His role as The Sorcerer's Apprentice was set to the symphonic poem of the same name by Paul Dukas and perhaps the most famous segment of the film.

On November 18, 1978, on his 50th birthday, Mickey became the first cartoon character to have a star on the Hollywood's Walk of Fame. Look for it at 6925 Hollywood Blvd.

Disney recently has announced plans to revamp Mickey in order to bring the animated character back into the forefront and to make him more conscious with today's kids. Expect Mickey to be a tad more mischievous as evidenced in the upcoming Wii video game "Epic Mickey," due in stores Nov. 30.

(above information is from nj.com)