Happy Birthday, Sesame Street!

Sesame Street‘s first episode aired on November 10, 1969. It was one of the first educational TV programs for kids. The idea behind Sesame Street was to help kids learn and to have fun while doing it. The show was specially directed towards inner-city kids who had fewer educational advantages. The Sesame Street set was designed to look familiar–it could be any street in New York City.

Today, 40 years later, kids are still watching Sesame Street, and in more countries than ever before. There are 140 different versions of Sesame Street broadcast around the world. Each edition is specially adapted reflect the lives and cultures of kids living in that area.

Do you watch Sesame Street, or did you when you were younger? Who is your favorite character?

Visit the Sesame Street website on PBS.

Learn more about Sesame Street around the world on National Geographic News.

Even Sesame Street is going green! Learn more on National Geographic News.

Photograph by Scott J. Ferrell/Congressional Quarterly/Alamy

Comments

emshemie3
November 10, 2009, 5:52 pm

Yes, when I was younger I did watch Sesame Street. That is how I learned to count! I think my favorite character was Cookie Monster. My second favorite was Oscar. I am not a grouchy person, but I kind of thought he was cute….I also liked the human people, too.
Arrollo
November 10, 2009, 8:48 pm

OMG I <3 Sesame Street! Its so cool that this show is still showing storng
jastin nating
November 11, 2009, 4:19 pm

jastin says sesame street did do nating
Catzrcool
November 11, 2009, 5:40 pm

I used to watch sesame street all the time. My favorite character would definitely be elmo!!
filipinaprincess101
November 12, 2009, 5:56 pm

awwwwwwwww!!!!!!! i used to luv watchin Sesame Street!!!!!!!!!! I luvd Elmo so much! ELMO ROX!!! XD Happy 40th Aniversary, Sesame Street! too bad they changed Cookie Monster to Carrot Monster :[
Mewsugar
November 13, 2009, 5:40 pm

my 4-year-old brother watches it!!! and my fave might be elmo, of big bird!!!!
pandagirl789
November 19, 2009, 4:37 pm

I used to watch that. It’s changed so much. One of the things is there is no more cookie monster
j2000w
November 21, 2009, 3:28 pm

I use to warch Sesame Street i loved it so much to bad they changed Cookie Monster to Carrot Monster Happy 40th Aniversary Sesame Street!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
lila11
April 6, 2010, 2:58 pm

lila says elmo was my fave!!!!!
Iwuvyou:)
January 3, 2011, 10:37 am

I LOVEEEE SESAME STREET’S