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Mickey Mouse Day

Fun · History · November 18

A day for Mickey Mouse, the cheerful cartoon mouse with round ears, red shorts and a long run in animated shorts, films and television.

Mickey Mouse Day falls on Wednesday, November 18, 2026. That is 22 days away.

Mickey Mouse is one of the most recognizable cartoon characters anywhere. Three circles are enough to suggest him: one round head and two round ears. Add red shorts, big shoes and white gloves, and nearly anyone can name him.

He first appeared in black and white animated shorts, and one of his early films, Steamboat Willie, is remembered for its synchronized sound. In those early cartoons he whistled, played music on whatever objects were nearby and got into small scrapes. Over time he became gentler and more of a host, the friendly center of a cast that includes Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy and Pluto.

The day also goes by Mickey Mouse Birthday, and people mark it the way you might mark a friend's. They watch an old short or a newer cartoon, draw the famous silhouette, or dig out a childhood toy. Families sometimes compare which version of Mickey they grew up with, since his look has shifted with each era of animation.

The early shorts reward a second look. Much of the humor is physical and musical, with very little dialogue, so they still play well for small children and for adults who enjoy watching how hand-drawn animation moves. His high, cheerful voice became part of the character, and in the early years it was provided by Walt Disney himself.

The gloves were a practical choice. White hands stood out against a black body, which made his gestures easier to read on screen.

Ways to celebrate

• Watch an early black and white Mickey Mouse short.
• Try drawing Mickey's silhouette from three simple circles.
• Share a memory of the Mickey cartoon you watched growing up.
• Look for the white gloves and notice how they show his gestures.

Official site

Dates

All national days on November 18

Also on November 18

• Apple Cider Day
• National Princess Day
• National Vichyssoise Day

Categories: Fun daysHistory days