Sesame Street: 1,2,3, 40 Years

Tomorrow, November 10th, 2009 is an important landmark in television history - for it is on this day, 40 years ago, when we first fell in love with Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch.

While the concept of 'edutainment' or learning whilst having fun is common now, it was considered quite revolutionary forty years ago, when children's programming was practically non-existent.

What is amazing though, is the fact that even in this new digital era, where we all have so many choices, the show continues to remain a favorite amongst parents and children. It is the longest running children's show on PBS and is currently broadcasted in 120 countries and recorded in 25 languages.

In honor of the show's 40th birthday, we bring you some fun facts that you may or may not have known.

• During the last 40 years, Sesame Street has won 8 Grammy Awards and an astounding 122 Emmy Awards!
• In 1970, Ernie's signature song 'Rubber Duckie' was released as a single and made it to #16 on Billboards 100 hot singles list!
• Count Von Count is nearly 2 million years old.
• Elmo was a side character during the early 1970's and didn't make it to the top spot until 1984 - shows even muppets have to earn their stripes!
• Rosita, the good-natured turquoise muppet is actually a fruit bat (next time look closely to spot her wings).
• In the first season, Grover was brown, not blue and Oscar the Grouch, orange not yellow.
• The first version of 'Tickle me Elmo' was so popular that people paid as much as $1,500 USD to get one.

And the biggest surprise of all -

• Big Bird is not a Canary but a Golden Condor! Who knew?

Do you know any other fun facts about Sesame Street. If so, let us know by adding your comments below. Also, be sure to go to www.sesamestreet.org to vote for your favorite episode and watch tomorrow's show if you can, because First Lady Michelle Obama, is going to be hanging out with the gang!

sources:wikipedia.org, jimmycanuck.wordpress.com,newstribune.com