Big Bird Google Doodle: Sesame Street Celebrates 40th anniversary (video)

by Rhonda Kuykendall-Jabari

This week marks the 40th anniversary of Sesame Street and Google is honoring the day with a Big Bird Google Doodle. The world famous children's TV show aired for the first time on November 10, 1969. With 122 Emmy awards and shows in 140 countries, Sesame Street is the longest running program in the history of children's television. "The Street" has featured some of the world's most popular personalities of music, film and politics over its 40-year lifetime.

Part of what makes Sesame Street a lasting legacy is a commitment to integrity and quality programming with a laser sharp focus on child development. The show is centered around four unwavering initiatives:

1. Health and Wellness
2. Respect and Understanding
3. Literacy and Numeracy
4. Emotional Well Being

Carolyn Parente, the show's executive producer, says, "The new season will be star-studded. We have Cameron Diaz in our premiere episode, and Adam Sandler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kobe Bryant, Eva Longoria, Christina Applegate, Ricky Gervais, Greg Kinnear, and more - we have over 30 celebrities this season. And we also have First Lady Michelle Obama!"

Sesame Street's lessons extend far beyond the basics of reading, writing and arithmetic. Sesame Street is an incredible lesson in the kind of organic success that comes with remaining true to a purpose of service. The business of Sesame Street is not all fun and games. It is one of the most well-researched shows in TV history and their cast retention is unmatched. Hard work and lots of collaboration goes into maintaining what looks and feels like a real family of characters. Like real life relatives, Sesame Street cast members spend a lifetime working on a common goal of providing a solid foundation of basic knowledge to give children a strong start in life. Bob McGrath (Bob) leads the way as an original cast member of 40 years. Loretta Long (Susan) joined the show in its first season. Emilio Delgado (Luis) moved to the neighborhood 1971, and Roscoe Orman (Gordon) has been with them for 35 years.

A visual message of transcendent hope and unconditional love is relayed through Sesame Street's residents which include African Americans, Latino Americans, Native Americans, Caucasians, Asians and Hispanic families. The show's content teaches elevated human relations and interaction among its diverse cast of characters.  Sesame Street is a safe and nurturing space where everyone, children and adults alike, feels welcome to join in the fun and learning. It's a world where humans interact on somewhat of a soul level, ignoring physical differences to a great degree. It's no wonder the world sings along with the final words of the theme song, "can you tell me how to get, how to get to Sesame Street."

Follow this topic on Twitter using #sesamestreet, #bigbird and #googledoodle.  

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