Happy 40th birthday, Sesame Street!
On this day in 1969, the National Educational Television network premiered a show from the Children’s Television Workshop, with songs, animation, Bob McGrath, Loretta Long, Caroll Spinney, Carol Burnett, and Muppets.
Forty years later, Sesame Street has become the longest running American children’s program, having helped educate generations of children worldwide. And Bob McGrath, Loretta Long (Susan) and Caroll Spinney (Big Bird and Oscar) are still there. (Think of it– 40 years as an 8 foot tall bird.)
The effect of the show is so powerful and widespread, this song made it up to #16 on the Billboard charts in 1970:
Make sure you catch the season premiere today, with special guest Michelle Obama. Check your local PBS station for times and listings– or (sign of the times) get the Sesame Street podcast on 
.
And to provide an actual connection to comics, remember that in the early days of the show, short vignettes starring Superman and Batman using the style and voices of the 1960…s cartoons were featured, with Superman demonstrating words that began with the letter "S" and Batman and Robin teaching safety lessons about crossing the street.