Forty years ago, a magical street was created to enrich the lives of children. Families welcomed into their homes a variety of characters to teach them not only about counting numbers and the alphabet but also how to treat one another with respect and kindness.
“Sesame Street” premiered on Nov. 10, 1969, creating memories to cherish for years to come. Who could ever forget Ernie and the rubber ducky song that he sang in the bathtub Big Bird taught us about the alphabet by singing all of it as one great word. Cookie Monster taught us that the letter C stands for cookie, the Count taught us numbers, Bert and Ernie taught us how to share and Kermit the frog taught us that it is not easy being green.
The show has also had some memorable moments with celebrity guests, including Ellen Degeneres and Elmo singing “Put Down the Ducky,” Sandra Oh as a cookie fairy, Neil Patrick Harris as a shoe fairy, Maya Angelou singing “N is for Natasha” to baby Natasha. Margaret Hamilton also made a guest appearance as the Wicked Witch of the West, first lady Michelle Obama taught children about gardening, and many more. As Sesame street turns forty this year, let us celebrate by hoping for forty more years for children to be able to sing a long and look forward to many sunny days ahead where they can grow up learn and love.