5 Things That Are Turning 60 in 2015

Can you believe that 1955 was 60 years ago? It’s hard to believe how fast time goes.

In 1955 we were in the middle of the Cold War, “In God We Trust” was added to the currency, Rosa Parks was arrested after refusing her bus seat, and the average cost of a gallon of gas was 23 cents.

You’ll never believe what is turning 60 this year. And the best thing is, they are all still going strong, just like you!

In 1937, Walt Disney was inspired by the antics of an English Springer Spaniel named Lady. They created the animated film “Lady and the Tramp” - the romantic tale of the sophisticated spaniel Lady and the stray mutt named Tramp.

The film took four years to complete. It was released in theaters on June 22, 1955 and was a resounding success. It was named one of the “100 Greatest Love Stories of All Time” by the American Film Institute and was one of TIME’s “25 All-TIME Best Animated Films.”

Fun fact: the famous spaghetti scene almost didn’t make it into the film! Before it was animated, Walt Disney thought the whole idea was silly. Animator Frank Thomas disagreed and animated the entire scene so impressively that he changed Walt’s mind. Now it is considered an iconic scene in film history.

On July 17, 1955 Disneyland, the most magical place on Earth, opened its doors in California. The park began as a dream of a place where adults and their children could have fun together. On its first day, 50,000 people explored the park’s 20 attractions. The entrance fee was an even $1.

On that first day, Walt Disney said it best: “To all who come to this happy place - welcome. Disneyland is your land. Here age relives fond memories of the past and here youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future. Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals, the dreams, and the hard facts that have created America... with the hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world. Thank you."

Since 1955, over 650 million people have experienced the magic of Disney. 

Whether you play it on your phone or on a board, Scrabble is the classic board game. But it almost wasn’t successful. Scrabble’s big break came in 1952 when Jack Straus, president of Macy’s, played the game on vacation. When he came back to work he couldn’t believe his store didn’t carry it. He ordered the game and released it on January 19, 1955. It became the game of the season, and it is still going strong.

M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E!

Were you a Mouseketeer? The beloved children’s variety show first aired on October 3, 1955. Before the “Mickey Mouse Club” was a TV series, it was a theater show. The first one took place in 1930 in California.  

Two years later the Club had 1 million members with Club’s opening internationally. With more members than could go to the theater Club meetings, the TV show was born.

If you want to know anything about a world record, you know to go to "Guinness Book of Records." They are the authority on all things strange and extreme.

It all began when Sir Hugh Beaver, the managing director of Guinness Breweries, got into an argument over which was the fastest game bird in Europe. Was it the golden plover, or the red grouse? Beaver couldn’t find any book with the answer, so he decided to make his own.

The “Guinness Book of Records” was released on August 27^, 1955 and went straight to the top of the best seller list. It was the go-to Christmas gift that year. Since then it has sold more than 100 million copies in 100 different countries in 37 languages.

Feeling old yet? Don’t worry, being 60+ is an awesome! Older adults have it better today than ever before. You, like the five things above, are still going strong.

When you do start to need a more help, new technology will help you stay in your home. Alert1’smedical alerts keep seniors safe so they can stay independent. We’ll have your back so you can live your life freely, without worry. 

Here at Alert1 we are all about celebrating older adults. We are determined to change the perception of aging. It’s time to celebrate being 60+!

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