Trendy Toys
These popular dolls were “adopted” rather than purchased and came with their own birth certificates.
What are Cabbage Patch Kids? The dolls were invented by Xavier Roberts, a former art student. Roberts was only 26 when his dolls hit the market in 1983.
He got his start acting in films like 1963’s It Happened at the World’s Fair. He is also known for starring in movies like Overboard and Swing Shift with his longtime love, actress Goldie Hawn.
Who is Kurt Russell? Russell’s first acting role was an uncredited appearance on the Dennis the Menace TV show when he was 11.
The Pillsbury mascot, introduced in 1965
What is white? The Doughboy, as he is called, is the invention of advertising agency Leo Burnett.
This mystery-solving cartoon pooch debuted in the fall of 1969.
Who is Scooby-Doo? The now-iconic series went through several name changes before airing, including Mysteries Five and Who’s S-S-Scared?
What national holiday do we celebrate on the fourth of July?
What is Independence Day?
These cuddly stuffed toys “care a lot.”
What are Care Bears? The Care Bears also have an animated franchise, including 1985’s The Care Bear Movie.
This childhood chess prodigy is known for his defeat of Soviet chess player Boris Spassky.
Who is Bobby Fischer? Fischer made history as the youngest grandmaster to date when he received the title in 1958 at just 15 years old.
The outfit worn by Sir Charms, the Lucky Charms cereal mascot
What is green? Often called Lucky the Leprechaun, he was introduced on St. Patrick’s Day in 1964.
This is an educational cartoon from the 1970s that features songs like “I’m Just a Bill” and “Conjunction Junction.”
What is Schoolhouse Rock? The series of shorts was conceived by David McCall, who noted his son’s ability to memorize musical lyrics and applied the idea to educational concepts.
The month of July was named to honor an ancient Roman ruler who was born that month.
Who is Julius Caesar?
Originally marketed as a spherical paperweight, this fortune-telling toy became popular with children of the 1980s.
What is the Magic 8 Ball? The toy has 20 possible responses, including 10 positive, five negative, and five neutral answers.
This actor and filmmaker got his start in acting as a child, with roles such as Opie on The Andy Griffith Show.
Who is Ron Howard? He acted in several television shows even before he took the role of Opie, including an episode of The Twilight Zone in 1959. His directorial debut came in 1977 with Grand Theft Auto.
The first-ever Post-It notes, invented at 3M in 1974
What is yellow? If you’re wondering why yellow, it was simply the color of paper the scientists had laying around as scrap!
This prehistoric cartoon series of the 1960s includes Fred, Wilma, and Pebbles.
What is The Flintstones? The Hanna-Barbera show is considered the first animated sitcom.
On July 20, 1969, US astronaut Neil Armstrong became the first person to do what?
Step on the moon
A popular brainteaser in the 1980s, the object of this toy is to get six sides of matching colored tiles aligned.
What is a Rubik’s Cube? The toy was introduced commercially in 1980 and sold 100 million units in the first two years.
This Spanish cubist painter is known for works like Guernica and The Old Guitarist.
Who is Pablo Picasso? Picasso first exhibited his paintings in 1895 at the age of 14. In 1960, an exhibit of his work in London was called the “first art blockbuster.”
The two colors of the first Earth Day flag, flown at an Illinois high school in 1970
What are green and white? The flag was sewn by a student’s mother and included the ecology symbol in the upper left corner.
This ’80s cartoon features characters named after Renaissance artists.
What is Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles? The crime-fighting foursome debuted in a 1984 comic book by creators Eastman and Laird.
The developer of the most famous circus in America was born in July in 1810. He and his partner, Ringling, took exciting tent shots all over the world.
Who is P.T. Barnum?
Known as the world’s first action figure and an All-American hero, he debuted in 1964 from Hasbro toys.
Who is G.I. Joe? The marketing team refused to call the toy a “doll,” wanting to create a unique product with moveable joints that differed from dolls of the past.
This child prodigy is known for musical ditties like “My Cherie Amour” and “You Are the Sunshine of My Life.”
Who is Stevie Wonder? Wonder taught himself to play drums, piano, and harmonica by age 10, and he first began recording music at age 11.
The Cloud, Prince’s custom-built guitar that stars alongside him in the film Purple Rain
What is white? The guitar is the creation of Dave Rusan, who has built about 40 replicas of the iconic instrument.
A spinoff of Archie comics, this show stars a pop-music group solving mysteries as they tour the globe.
What is Josie and the Pussycats? The cartoon is notable as the first American Saturday morning cartoon with a Black female character.
On July 2, 1955, this musical television program debuted. The host was a polka-loving, accordion player.
Who is Lawrence Welk?