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