Donald Duck

Hi everyone, I hope everyone has now fully recovered from the Jubilee celebrations, which marked Queen Elizabeth II reign as being the longest female monarch in history. In two years’ time, HRH will become the longest-reigning monarch, overtaking French King Louis XIV, who had ruled for approximately seventy-two years from 1643-1715, which began at the tender age of four.

Today is a quacktastic day, as it is the birthday of none other than the quackmaster himself Donald Duck. He is one of Walt Disney’s iconic characters and for once he will take centre stage and have the spotlight shine on him. Donald Duck has delighted generations both young and old, with his hot-tempered nature, hilarious antics, and heart of gold. In some ways, he is the opposite of Mickey. They’re like chalk and cheese, the yin, and yang of the animation world. To celebrate his birthday, here are some facts about him.

Facts That’s All about Donald

Donald Duck is a cartoon character created by The Walt Disney Company.

The inspiration behind Donald Duck’s voice came about when Walt Disney first heard character voice actor Clarence Charles Nash doing his “duck voice” recitation of Mary Had a Little Lamb.

Donald’s middle name is Fauntleroy, a name he understandably does not use that often.

He is an ill-tempered, squawking cartoon duck who was Walt Disney’s second most famous cartoon character after Mickey Mouse and who enjoyed worldwide popularity as the star of animated films, newspaper comic strips, comic books, and television.

Donald is an anthropomorphic white duck with a yellow-orange bill, legs, and feet. He typically wears a sailor shirt and cap with a bow tie.

Donald Duck was modelled after a real duck species? He is an American Pekin.

In 1938, Donald become the uncle of three nephews called Huey, Dewey, and Louie. It was at this point that Donald overtook Mickey in popularity, and became part of the famed Mickey Trio, which included their friend Goofy.

Donald Duck is the son of Quackmore Duck and Hortense McDuck.

Donald Duck was created at Walt Disney Productions in 1934 and made his first appearance on 9 June, which marks his birthday which makes him 88 years old.

His full name was used in “Donald Gets Drafted,” (1942) as well as the Quack Pack episode “All Hands on Duck,”

Donald Duck is a well-known and extremely popular character, especially in Scandinavian countries.

Donald has a twin sister Della (sometimes called Dumbella or Thelma) who married an unnamed Duck and had three sons, identical triplet Huey, Dewey, and Louie.

Huey, Dewey, Louie, Donald and Scrooge McDuck

His mother Hortense is the sister of Scrooge McDuck, making Scrooge Donald’s uncle.

The source of Donald’s anger is the fear the world is out to get him and that no one understands him.

The Ducks are related to about every prominent family in Duckburg (his hometown). He shares a relative (Cornelius Coot) with the Goose, Gander, and Coot families, which also makes him related to them too.

Donald Duck’s first film appearance was in a supporting role in The Wise Little Hen (1934), which was an episode of Walt Disney’s Silly Symphonies series of cartoon shorts.

By 1936, Donald went through a makeover that made him appear rounder and cuter. The next year, he began starring in his own films, starting with “Don Donald.” He was then given his own love interest named Donna, who later evolved into Daisy Duck.

A series of six short films were produced for the US Army, which charted Donald’s fictional military career beginning with Donald Gets Drafted (1942). That starts with his training all the way to his deployment in Commando Duck (1944).

Clarence Nash made Donald’s voice by forcing air through the mouth using the muscles of the cheek, rather than from the lungs as in typical speech.

After the film Chips Ahoy (1956), Donald appeared primarily in educational films before eventually returning to theatrical animation in Mickey’s Christmas Carol (1983).

Donald Duck also gained popularity in the television series Duck Tales which aired from 1987 to 1990. Donald cartoons are widely popular in the United States and across the world.

His last appearance in a theatrical film was in Fantasia 2000 (1999).

Donald’s name and image are used on numerous commercial products, one example being Donald Duck brand orange juice, introduced by Citrus World in 1940.

Donald is popular all around the world. In South America, he’s a firm favourite thanks to his movie appearances with fellow fowls, Brazilian Jose Carioca and Mexican Panchito Pistoles.

Donald, Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Pluto at Disney’s Theme Park

Donald Duck has played a key role in many Disney theme parks over the years. He has been seen in more attractions and shows at the parks than Mickey Mouse has.

In 2005, Donald received his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6840 Hollywood Blvd joining other fictional characters such as Mickey Mouse, Bugs Bunny, Woody Woodpecker, The Simpsons, Winnie the Pooh, Kermit the Frog, Big Bird, Godzilla and Snow White.

There is a Donald Duck political party in Sweden, though sadly it has never won an election.

On September 23, 2010, Asteroid 12410 was named after Donald Duck. It can be found within the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.

In Europe, kids continue to buy his comics in their hundreds of thousands. In some Nordic countries, it’s a Christmas tradition to watch a certain Donald cartoon.