Steamboat Willie: Sound Animation Begins with Mickey
Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks premiered Steamboat Willie at the Colony Theatre in New York on November 18, 1928, introducing Mickey Mouse to the world through the first cartoon with fully synchronized sound throughout. Previous cartoons had used sound effects, but Steamboat Willie matched every action to its soundtrack: Mickey whistles, a cow's teeth become a xylophone, a goat eats sheet music and becomes a phonograph. Disney had been turned down by every distributor in New York before Pat Powers agreed to release it. The cartoon cost $4,986 to produce. Audiences were electrified. Mickey Mouse became an overnight sensation, and Disney leveraged the character into a studio that would dominate animation for the next century. November 18 is celebrated as Mickey Mouse's official birthday.
November 18, 1928
98 years ago
Key Figures & Places
What Else Happened on November 18
Elisha P. Ferry was inaugurated as the first governor of Washington State, just days after it was admitted to the Union as the 42nd state. Ferry, a Republican w…
Emperor Constantine's massive basilica over St. Peter's burial site was consecrated after nearly two decades of construction. The church became the spiritual ce…
The Visigoths under King Alaric I surged over the Alps to strike deep into northern Italy, a bold maneuver that shattered Roman defenses in the region. This inv…
Pope Urban II ignited a religious war at the Council of Clermont, urging European nobles to reclaim Jerusalem from Muslim rule. This call to arms mobilized tens…
Maginulfo was installed as Antipope Sylvester IV by the Holy Roman Emperor's faction during the Investiture Controversy. His brief, contested papacy reflected t…
Roman aristocrats elected Maginulfo as Antipope Sylvester IV, directly challenging the authority of Pope Paschal II. This move intensified the Investiture Contr…
Talk to History
Have a conversation with historical figures who witnessed this era. Ask questions, explore perspectives, and bring history to life.