Walt Disney was a World War I ambulance Driver for the American Army in Paris, France

So, when he saw Versailles he created in his mind Disneyland for the first time.

He was also a cartoonist and created one of the First Cartoons about Micky Mouse.

Steamboat Willie was one of the first moving picture black and white cartoons featuring Mickey Mouse.

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There was no Mickey Mouse cartoon released in 1927; his first appearances were in 1928. The first Mickey Mouse cartoon, the silent short Plane Crazy, was produced in early 1928, followed by The Gallopin' Gaucho. Mickey officially debuted to the public in the sound cartoon Steamboat Willie, which premiered on November 18, 1928. 

This video explains the secret origins of Mickey Mouse, including the creation of Plain Crazy:

1m

RerunZone

YouTube • Sep 6, 2025

Plane Crazy: Produced in early 1928, this was Mickey Mouse's first cartoon but was a silent film and had difficulty finding a distributor. 

The Gallopin' Gaucho: The second silent film produced, it was test-screened in August 1928 but was not released to the public until December 1928, after Steamboat Willie. 

Steamboat Willie: This was Mickey's first sound cartoon and the one that launched him into stardom. Its premiere on November 18, 1928, is considered his official debut. 

You can watch the first Mickey Mouse short cartoon Steamboat Willie here:

1m

RerunZone

YouTube • Sep 6, 2025

• Ub Iwerks, Walt Disney. Steamboat Willie. 1928 - MoMA

  Though it may seem like Mickey Mouse has always been with us, this most well-known of cartoon characters sprang to animated life o...

  

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MOUSECOMS: The Complete First Season (1928-1929)

"The Gallopin' Gaucho" was test screened on August 2, 1928, after "Plain Crazy" failed to get a distributor, and was released on D...

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The world was introduced to Mickey Mouse in “Steamboat Willie,” ...

Steamboat Willie (1928) The 7-minute Steamboat Willie was first released (on a limited basis) on July 29, 1928, with Mickey as a r...

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