For four decades, Sesame Street has been educating and entertaining children on the ABCs, 123s and on other topics in life. Just about everyone in their 40s and younger can sing the show's theme song "Sunny Day."
Although, the modern versus of "Sunny Day" is more hipper than it was when Sesame Street first aired on November 10, 1969. The magic of the show has been its ability to adapt to the current times and topics.
Sesame Street has won 122 Emmy Awards through out its 40 years. It is entertaining children in over 120 countries. Regardless of the country, Sesame Street's ultimate goal is to teach preschoolers in all areas of their development and not just their ABCs and 123s.
Since the start of Sesame Street, the show has addressed issues kids are facing every day. During the show's first season it was banned in Mississippi due to the mixed race programing.
In recent years, Sesame Street has tackle other controversial topics; such as AIDS. The muppet character Kami is HIV positive in the South African version of Sesame Street.
When Sesame Street first aired on television forty years ago, the first episode was brought to you by the letters W, S and E and the numbers 2 and 3. The first episode of Sesame Street's 40th anniversary is being brought to you by the letter H and of course the number 40.
Sesame Street's 40th anniversary kicks off with episode 4187. The episode is titled Frankly It's Becoming A Habitat. During the show, Big Bird meets Freddy Flapman who sells bird real estate.
Freddy takes Big Bird to different habitats such as the beach, swamp and rainforest. Big Bird really likes the rainforest, so he decides to leave Sesame Street and move there. You can see the trailer here.
Big Bird has been on Sesame Street for the entire 40 years. Will Big Bird leave Sesame Street?
No, of course not. Big Bird decides to stay exactly where all his friends are; on Sesame Street.
Special guest Michelle Obama spends time helping Elmo and some of his friends plant a garden. Mrs. Obama explains to Elmo about how the seeds will grow into food they can eat to help them grow up strong and big. You can watch the video of Michelle Obama on Sesame Street here.
It seems that everyone is getting into the celebration of Sesame Street's 40th anniversary. Google has been featuring Sesame Street characters for the past week on their doodles.
If you have missed the doodles, just click on the names to see their doodle. Big Bird, Cookie Monster, Bert and Ernie, Oscar the Grouch, Elmo and the Count.
Sesame Street's website is having a special promotion with the Sesame Street Google doodles. For every purchase of a Sesame Street 40th anniversary item, you will receive a free t-shirt with a Sesame Street Google doodle on it.
On Tuesday, Michelle Obama and the cast of Sesame Street will celebrate Sesame Street's 40th anniversary. Kids of all ages can join in and walk down Sesame Street to come and play. Happy Birthday Sesame Street.
Written by Denise Clay
Exclusive to HULIQ
Posted November 9th, 2009 by Denise Clay
