Presenting news issues, documentaries, costume dramas and other arts at night, PBS was lacking substance for preschoolers other than reruns of cartoons until a public-TV producer, Joan Cooney, and puppeteer Jim Henson became instrumental in bringing "Sesame Street" to life on Nov. 10, 1969.
The principle behind the Children's Television Workshop was using a multi-cultural set of humans interacting with Jim Henson's Muppets to teach preschoolers about letters, numbers, counting, objects, songs and compassion for others in an entertaining way.
Taking place in an inner-city environment instead of the usual suburban setting, "Sesame Street," in addition to academic material, teaches kids about cooperation, sharing, friendship and kindness to the age-appropriate level of its viewers through its human and puppet characters, as well as the many famous politicians, poets and actors who do cameos on the show.
Continuing to not only educate, "Sesame Street" addressed relevant and sensitive issues, such as the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and Hurricane Katrina.
Books, magazines, toys, DVDs, live stage shows and the Sesame Place Theme Park market the activities and storylines of the infamous street, allowing it to remain on top as a beloved educational show for children.
Aired in more than 120 countries and in scores of languages, "Sesame Street" is the most widely viewed children's TV series in the world.