1904 - Disney animator & director Vladimir "Bill" Tytla (considered by many to be the best character animator working durring the Golden Age) is born in Yonkers, New York. Among his most famed masterpieces is Grumpy in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Stromboli the evil puppeteer in Pinocchio, and the old magician in "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" - a Fantasia segment.

1924 - Billy Barty, the original voice of Journey into Imagination's Figment, is born in Millsboro, Pennsylvania. Founder of Little People of America, Barty will sustain a Hollywood career for almost 70 years! He is also the voice of Baitmouse in the 1990 animated feature The Rescuers Down Under.

1941 - Singer-actress Helen Reddy, whose credits include Disney's 1977 Pete's Dragon (as Nora), is born in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

1948 - TIME magazine runs an article about Disney titled "The Mighty Mouse" in this week's issue.

1955 - The Mickey Mouse Club airs on ABC-TV. Today is Guest Star Day.

1957 - Voice actress Nancy Cartwright is born in Dayton, Ohio. Her Disney credits include Kim Possible, Goof Troop, Timon and Pumbaa, Aladdin and the features The Little Mermaid and Who Framed Roger Rabbit?. (TV fans know her best as the voice of Bart Simpson.)

1965 - In Miami, Florida Governor Haydon Burns confirms the rumors that Disney "will build the greatest attraction yet known in the history of Florida."

1968 - This day's issue of LIFE magazine features Mickey Mouse's 40th birthday, with illustrations of Mickey watches from the 1930s along with new Timex watches retailing for $12.95. (The total production - meant to last a year - will sell out in less than a month!)

1970 - Actor/singer/dancer Adam Pascal is born in the Bronx, New York. He will go on to star in such Broadway shows as RENT and Disney's musical hit Aida.

1971 - The formal dedication of Walt Disney World in Florida, takes place with Walt's brother Roy officiating. (The park has been opened since October 1.) A grand opening parade down Main Street is led by Music Man Meredith Wilson - the composer of "76 Trombones". Arthur Fiedler conducts the 60-nation World Symphony Orchestra at the base of Cinderella's Castle and Bob Hope hosts the dedication of the Contemporary Resort. (A 90-minute TV special will air 4 days later.)

1973 - The TV special "Walt Disney - A Golden Anniversary Salute" airs.

1985 - Mickey's Character Shop opens at Disney's Village Marketplace in Florida.

1988 - Animator & Disney Legend Eric Larson passes away at a Pasadena, California hospital. He was one of Walt's original "Nine Old Men."

1989 - NBC-TV airs what will be the last episode of The Nutt House, a new comedy series developed by Mel Brooks for Touchstone/Disney.

1990 - The CD Stay Awake: Interpretations of Vintage Disney Films is released.

1991 - CBS-TV airs The Dream is Alive: 20th Anniversary Celebration at Walt Disney World. The special is hosted by Michael Eisner and Regis Philbin.

1993 - Actor Vincent Price, best remembered for his many horror films, passes away in California. Price was the voice of Ratigan in Disney's 1986 animated feature The Great Mouse Detective.

1993 - The Broccoli & Co. shop in EPCOT's The Land closes.

1997 - The Disney Channel Original Movie Under Wraps, about a trio of 12-year-old kids who discover a mummy in the basement of a dead man's house, debuts.

1998 - The Famous Jett Jackson premieres on Disney Channel with the episode "Going Up!"

2000 - Thirty lucky Haunted Mansion fans dine in the popular Disneyland attraction as part of a $2000 a plate Fantasy Dinner offered by the park.

2005 - Herbie: Fully Loaded is released to DVD.

2007 - Walt Disney World Resort unveils the new official logo for Disney's Hollywood Studios (currently known as Disney-MGM Studios). The theme park is scheduled to officially change its name January 7, 2008.

2008 - The second annual Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 13K race takes place at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Florida.

__________________