Happy Fourth of July from the Disney History Institute. In trying to find something patriotic for the 4th, that would also fit the mission statement of DHI (that is partly to share something that is not seen everywhere else and to partly educate a bit about Walt Disney) this dapper red, white, and blue Mickey Mouse just seemed to stand out! It is a wonderful ticket book from the Institute’s material culture collection that comes to us from the late 1960s (copyright 1968, union bug 1970). The item carries with it Walt’s wishes towards a steadfast support for America’s armed forces (and America). There were a number of special ticket books available only to those serving their country; this one being a short-lived rare example (I’ll share a different example on Veteran’s Day). The dates of these overtly patriotic ticket books are primarily from the late 1960s and early 1970s, when the counter culture movement was raging, and sentiments towards America’s involvement in Vietnam were sadly manifesting themselves against those just doing their duty (as compared to directing their disagreements exclusively towards the policy makers and politicians). It was a difficult time to be a member of the military, but Walt’s lifelong convictions of supporting those that have fought for our freedom, all the way back to the founding of the country on the 4th of July, were steadfast during this difficult time in American history; and even when he was gone, those at Disney Productions carried on his wishes. It is one of the better examples of the “What would Walt do?” era.
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