Sesame Street's 40th year brings Big Bird to the Google homepage today.
(Google screengrab)Photos (1 of 1)
Big Bird goes Google for Sesame Street’s 40th birthday
Big Bird, Sesame Street, and Google? Why not? The yellow star lent his legs to the site's homepage today, to mark the show's 40th birthday.
By Andrew Heining | 11.04.09
Google is taking us down the happiest street in the world.
Today, visitors to the site, lately one of the most sparse spots on the Web, are seeing possibly the world’s most famous pair of legs (and no, we’re not talking about Heidi Klum’s, which were just insured $2.2 million.) We mean Big Bird, of course!
The reason? Today marks the 40th anniversary of children’s TV show Sesame Street.
To celebrate, Sesame Street’s website has been running a contest, where visitors can vote for their favorite episodes from the the show’s impressive four-decade public television run.
We here at the Monitor have a soft spot for our furry friends from the Children’s Television Workshop. Our recent “Famous Grouches” gallery was headlined by none other than trash can-dwelling Oscar himself (and good friend Telly).
And we were there in May, when First Lady Michelle Obama famously declared at the UN that she was happy to be there, but that she had just been at Sesame Street and that was more exciting.
Big Bird’s cameo on the Google homepage follows a long line of “Google Doodles” – clever sketches or graphics that the site puts up to commemorate notable dates.
Most recent was a tribute to the humble barcode, which had many scrambling to decode what the site’s cryptic symbol said (Hint: it was “Google,” but we made up one of our own that kept readers guessing.
Before that, a Google Doodle paid homage to peace activist Mahatma Gandhi to commemorate what would have been his 140th birthday.
Then there was a period of days that saw cryptic UFO-related doodles taking over. It wasn’t an invasion, but rather a tribute to “War of the Worlds” author HG Wells ahead of his birthday.
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Got a favorite Sesame Street memory? Leave it in the comments. And be sure to follow us on Twitter – we’re @CSMHorizonsBlog.
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You know what else is warm and fuzzy? Snuggies. And now Weezer has one of their own. Seriously.
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2. Mrs. Hageman’s Class | 11.04.09
We love the Sesame Street characters. They have touched on so many important issues of our day. (I have been watching you for 34 years as a teacher)We often have lunch with the gang!
Thank you for 40 very special years!
Love,
Mrs. Hageman’s 2nd grade Class
Laukhuf Elementary
Louisville, KY
3. chrychek | 11.04.09
“To celebrate, Sesame Street’s website has been running a contest, where visitors can vote for their favorite episodes from the the show’s impressive four-decade public television run.” from http://features.csmonitor.com/innovation/2009/11/04/big-bird-goes-google-for-sesame-streets-40th-birthday/
The link on this page does not point to a Sesame Street website but rather this: Klum’s Legs Insured For $2.2 Million http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/dailydish/detail?blogid=7&entry_id=28268
4. joe | 11.04.09
big bird is definately an epic character on sesame street. i really miss all the old shows they use to have on, the shows that are on now are so idiotic..
5. Mr. Coxworth’s class | 11.04.09
sesame street has been a part of a large amount of children’s lives. I use it in class and also at home with my two children. thank you for 40 years of learning and fun!
7. Haley | 11.04.09
THAT IS AWESOME! GO BIG BIRD! (yeah you can still LOVE big bird at age 13!)
~Haley
8. Josh | 11.04.09
I’ve always loved Big Bird, even though my favorite character was Oscar the Grouch. So many memories 
9. nyeesha | 11.04.09
I love sesame street, and all the people that live on sesame street. I LOVE YOU COOKIE MONSTER
10. D. Johnson | 11.04.09
I remember watching as a 4 year old when the show first aired. Jeez, has it been that long! Rock on SS.
11. Kelsi | 11.04.09
Jeez… I’m 16 and I still love Sesame Street. I actually have 3 Elmo dolls on my bed =] =] =]
13. Miranda | 11.04.09
I watched the goodbye special to Mr. Hooper today. It was a sad but good moment on sesame. It made me cry. I’m sure gonna miss you, Mr. Hooper.
14. Rachael | 11.04.09
Wow, I’m 17 nearly 18.. And I remember watching it all the time when I was little. Sesame street taught me alot of the stuff I know today. I loved the cookie monster and Kermit the frog and of course Big bird! Count Dracula was awesome too. I mean this show showed humor but in a educational way… Shows today are kinda pointless, but they can be entertaining… but at least Sesame Street had a point. I was teaching Kindergarten last year and we watched episodes of Sesame Street throughout the year, and the kids absoloutely loved it and they did improve their skills. :]
15. nostalgia | 11.04.09
This indeed brings the nostalgia to a lot of people world wide, not sure if kids nowadays would appreciate the good ole sesame street gang if they are always tune to Youtube or facebook playing mafia wars. =)
16. Alan | 11.05.09
When Michelle Obama was on Sesame Street, do you think the Count explained to her how spending doesn’t reduce the deficit?
18. Greg Delaney | 11.08.09
I’m looking forward to my 40th anniversary Sesame Street soundtrack to come in the mail, those songs are great
19. meghan | 11.08.09
My personal favorite day was when cookie monster was on google…..he had cookies in his mouth and google was decorated with a cookie background
20. matt | 11.09.09
Sesame Street is the most annoying show on tv and I get pissed everytime I have to look @ google…. Please stop this show now.
21. KIm | 11.10.09
Someone need to tell Alan that is what should have been told to the former Administration.. Who would take a children show and make it about their own political hate… someone who prob has children unfortunately.
22. katee marie | 11.18.09
heyyy i just have something to tell you that you should do i think that you should find the pics from all the other days and put them on here you will get a lot more reviews but other then that i love the pic nd congrats
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1. Big Bird goes Google for Sesame Street’s 40th birthday (The Christian Science Monitor) - Newsalistic | 11.04.09
6. Big Bird goes Google for Sesame Street’s 40th birthday (The Christian Science Monitor) | Tech Stories and News | All-time Aggregator Thufs | 11.04.09
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1. L | 11.04.09
THE LINK TO GO TO THE CONTEST IS AN ARTICLE ABOUT KLUM’S LEGS.