This Day in Disney History: APR 17

The tradition of Disney topiaries began in 1966 when

Disneyland horticulturalists sculpted larger-than-lifesize characters surrounding

the it's a

small world attraction.

1997:

Gibson Guitars holds a demonstration at Disney World's Pleasure Island. Guitarists have the opportunity to see new models and check out a display of classic guitars.

1924:

Metro Pictures, Goldwyn Pictures, and the Louis B. Mayer Company merge to form Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer ... or MGM.

1961:

At the 33rd Annual Academy Awards, hosted by Bob Hope, an Oscar (Documentary, Feature) is won for the Disney film The Horse with the Flying Tail. Actress Hayley Mills wins an Oscar (Honorary Award) for most outstanding juvenile performance of 1960 for her performance in Disney's live-action Pollyanna. Although Disney's Islands of the Sea is nominated for Short Subjects, Live Action ... it is edged out by Day of the Painter.

1964:

Disney's "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln" exhibit is flown from California to New York for the upcoming World's Fair. Unfortunately once in New York, the truck delivering the exhibit to the Illinois Pavilion is caught in heavy traffic around the Flushing Meadows area of Queens (one of the 5 boroughs of New York City). The cause of traffic ... Shea Stadium - a new ballpark and home to the New York Mets - is hosting their official opening day! The Pittsburgh Pirates defeat the Mets 4-3 and Lincoln never makes it to the fair.

1987:

At Disneyland the Mark V monorails debut in Tomorrowland.

1994:

Thirty-year-old Randle Charles "falls" about 20 feet from one of the Skyway cabins in Disneyland. He lands in a tree near the Alice in Wonderland attraction. Charles is helped out of the tree by paramedics and taken to nearby Western Medical Center, where he is treated for minor injuries and released. (Charles will later file a $25,000 negligence lawsuit against Disney, claiming that he had suffered permanent neck and back injuries as a result of his fall. The lawsuit will be dismissed just before it is to go to trial in September 1996, when it is discovered Charles indeed jumped from the cabin.)

2006:

Two of the stars of Disney/Pixar's new computer-animated feature Cars race straight off the movie screen and into the real world as actual life-sized models for a 40 plus city promotional tour. Disney/Pixar's "CARS Road Trip 06" presented by State Farm kicks off this day in Akron, Ohio. (The movie will premiere May 26.)