56 years ago today, Sesame Street first aired on 180 PBS public television stations using Jim Henson’s puppets to teach letters, numbers, and colors, with the goal or preparing less advantaged children for school. Created by Joan Ganz Cooney and Lloyd Morrisett and produced by their Children’s Television Workshop, the show by 2009 was translated and broadcasting in more than 140 countries. Watch the video at CBS, here —or see the behind-the-scenes tribute below… (1969)

In recent years, the Emmy Award-winning educational show has tackled societal issues like kids in foster care , children with autism , homelessness in families, and hunger , by introducing new Muppet characters to the neighborhood—even one that is HIV-positive —all in the hopes of teaching compassion and tole

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