Can you tell me how to get...

...how to get to Sesame Street?

40 years ago today, something very special popped up on America's television screens. It was the first ever episode of Sesame Street, and it was the beginning of what would become the longest running children's program on US television.

Did you know...

*Ernie's 'Rubber Ducky' song was released as a single, and hit #16 on the Billboard Chart in 1970?

*Cookie Monster pre-dates Sesame Street by three years? He was originally known as the 'Wheel Stealer' in General Mills commercials.

*In 2002, on a South African version of Sesame Street, an HIV-positive muppet was introduced? Kami was a five year old girl who was infected by HIV through a blood transfusion as an infant. Her name was derived from the word 'Kamogelo', which means 'acceptance' in several African languages.

*Oscar the Grouch was originally orange?

...there you go. Now you're a little more educated in the subject of Sesame Street.

Lastly, to mark this special event, I thought I'd provide you with some great Sesame Street clips. Here are some of my favorites:

One two three FOUR five, six seven eight NINE ten, eleven twelve...such a classic, I'm sure you all have this song tucked in your memory.

For the music lovers: Feist, Norah Jones, REM and the Goo Goo Dolls...

The Yip Yips. Nothing else to say about them.

The classic 1977 breastfeeding clip...good job, Sesame Street. And a bit of a remake, years later...

'If he can do it, I can do it too'...a touching tribute to Jim Henson.

Do you have some Sesame Street favorites? Feel free to link to them in the comments...