1938 - Composer-conductor Oliver Wallace begins work at the Walt Disney Studio. (The Academy Award winner will write, conduct and perform music - for such classics as Dumbo, Ichabod and Mister Toad, and Lady and the Tramp - until his death in 1963.)

1940 - Disney's animated feature film, Pinocchio (based on the 19th century book by Carlo Collodi) premieres at the Central Theatre in New York City. It has cost a staggering $2.6 million to make. (This film is felt by many film historians to be the most technically perfect of all the Disney animated features.)

1943 - Historian Eric Foner, considered the leading contemporary expert on the post-Civil War Reconstruction period, is born in New York City. He revised the presentation of American history at the Hall of Presidents at Disney World's Magic Kingdom, and Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln at Disneyland. Foner completely rewrote and changed the script of the Hall of Presidents in order to focus more on slavery and other ethical and civil related issues. He also rewrote Lincoln's speech, which was originally nearly identical to that which Lincoln gave in the original version of Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln.

1944 - Disney's animated feature Pinocchio is released in Spain.

1947 - Wayne Anthony Allwine, the third voice of Mickey Mouse (not including park attractions, etc.) is born in Los Angeles, California. Originally a sound effects editor for Disney Studios, he assumed the role of Mickey from Jim Macdonald. (Beside Macdonald, the only other person to voice the famous mouse was Walt Disney himself!) Allwine's first appearance as Mickey was voicing the animated lead-ins for The New Mickey Mouse Club in 1977. But his first appearance as Mickey for a theatrical release was in the 1983 featurette Mickey's Christmas Carol. Allwine is married to Russi Taylor, the current voice of Minnie Mouse.

1956 - Keller's Jungle Killers, a circus act in the Mickey Mouse Club Circus tent, opens in Disneyland.

1958 - Disney's first animated feature Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is released in theaters for the fourth time - with new opening and ending credits replacing the RKO Radio Picture logo.

2001 - Die-hard Disney fans begin to line up at 5 p.m. Wednesday, 15 hours before the 8 a.m. Thursday opening of Disney's California Adventure. Disneyland officials discourage people from camping out, although bathrooms are available, and a limited amount of food and beverages are offered for sale. Meanwhile, Disney officially dedicates their "Golden Dreams" attraction at Disney's California Adventure with a ceremony emceed by Disney President Robert A. Iger. Also in attendance are Whoopi Goldberg, the star of "Golden Dreams" and singer Rene Goldsberry who performs "Just One Dream" live with gospel groups from throughout Southern California. Disney officially also dedicates the ABC Soap Opera Bistro in a ceremony attended by the stars of ABC daytime. During the ceremony a representative of each Soap donates an item from their show to live permanently at the Bistro.

2003 - A memorial tribute to Disney Imagineer David Mumford is held in California. (The talented 46-year-old Imagineer, historian, and author had passed away January 20th.) As a senior principal show set designer at Walt Disney Imagineering, David oversaw the production of working set drawings for Disney theme park attractions (such as the Journey into Imagination with Figment attraction at Epcot).

2003 - The Lizzie McGuire episode "Bye, Bye Hillridge Junior High" and the That's So Raven episode "Campaign in the Neck" both air for the first time on Disney Channel.

2004 - The Disney/Pixar animated feature Finding Nemo earns nine Annie Awards at the 31st annual event. Roy E. Disney's appearance on stage as a presenter prompts a thunderous applause and a standing ovation. Will Ryan and his ukulele, leads the audience in a round of "Happy Birthday" for absent Winsor McCay honoree Thurl Ravenscroft (whose voice can be heard all over Disney television shows, movies & theme park attractions). The late John Hench is awarded the Winsor McKay Award for Lifetime Achievement in the service of animation.

2004 - Television's The Wonderful World of Disney airs "The Special Edition of The Lion King."

2006 - Bambi II is released direct-to-DVD in the U.S. (It had premiered in Argentina January 26, 2006). The sequel features the voices of Alexander Gould (as Bambi), Patrick Stewart (as the Great Prince/Stag), and Brendon Baerg (as Thumper).

2006 - The CD Radio Disney Jams, Vol. 8 is released. The collection includes performances by such artists as The Click Five, Aly & AJ, Jesse McCartney, Hilary Duff, and The Cheetah Girls.

2007 - Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy and running back Dominick Rhodes visit the Magic Kingdom in Florida to celebrate their February 4 Super Bowl win.

2008 - Walt Disney Parks & Resorts announces the creation of an "American Idol" attraction that will bring the television and pop culture phenomenon to life at Disney World's Hollywood Studios theme park. Currently slated to debut in late 2008, the attraction will allow Disney guest to experience the challenge of auditioning, the rush of performing on stage in competition, or the thrill of judging the performances in a live interactive "American Idol" setting.

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