The Day the Smurfs Took Over the World

While October 23rd is often associated with serious historical milestones like the Hungarian Uprising or the discovery of ancient fossils, it also marks a much more whimsical moment in pop culture history. On October 23, 1958, the world was introduced to the tiny, blue, mushroom-dwelling creatures known as The Smurfs! Created by the Belgian cartoonist Peyo, these three-apple-tall characters first appeared in the comic strip Johan et Pirlouit. Little did anyone know that these little blue guys would eventually spawn a global empire of television shows, movies, and enough merchandise to fill a village. So, if you find yourself feeling a bit blue today, just remember: it’s a perfectly historical reason to celebrate!