Story Highlights
- historical event: It is interesting that the surname Disney comes from the French d’Isigny, after the town Isigny in Normandy, from where originally was Disney’s distant ancestor who came to England with William the Conqueror.
On this day is the anniversary of Walt Disney’s birth. He was born in Chicago to an Irish father. It is interesting that the surname Disney comes from the French d’Isigny, after the town Isigny in Normandy, from where Disney’s distant ancestor moved to England, with William the Conqueror.
The Disneys later moved to Ireland and, from there, through Canada, they came to the United States. Disney’s mother, Flora, was of German descent. Walt (short for Walter) Disney received more Academy Awards than any other person. He was nominated 59 times and won 26 Academy Awards.
Disney’s best-known trademark, Mickey Mouse, was created when he was 27 years old. He was based on his pet mouse from his younger days. It is interesting that, for the first 19 years, Walt personally voiced Mickey. At first he planned to call the mouse Mortimer, but his wife persuaded him that the name was too pompous, so he changed it to Mickey.
