Happy Birthday, Walt Disney!

On this day, in 1901, my hero was born. Walter Elias Disney was born to a poor family in Chicago, and for most of his life, he didn't have much. Throughout the years, he tried to become a success in the film industry, but failed many times, which is hard to believe. Walt Disney was a genius with a dream--to inspire and bring laughter to children and the children at heart. He created the first full length animated feature ever Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, which still creates the same emotions in children now that it did over 70 years ago: terrible fright at the sight of the Evil Queen and laughter at the dwarfs' silly antics. The same goes for all of Disney's movies, from animated to live-action, old to new.
When Walt died, I wasn't yet born, but I can imagine how devastated everyone was, especially the Walt Disney company. They thought that animation would cease to exist, and the "Dark Ages" took place at the studio.  But in the late 1980's, up in heaven, Walt Disney looked down and smiled. Disney was back on track with The Little Mermaid.
The wonderful thing about Walt Disney was his storytelling ability. He could make stiff, proper adults break down crying when Bambi's mother died. He could convince stupid, obnoxious teenagers (like some of my friends) that animation wasn't just for little kids. He could tell any story, acting out any part, for his chief animators. He was a visionary.
And his legacy will live on forever, thanks to his classic movies and theme parks.
Happy Birthday, Walt Disney! You are dearly missed.