This Day in History: <br />'Sesame Street' Debuts November 10, 1969 'Sesame Street' was created <br />by former public television <br />documentary filmmaker <br />Joan Ganz Cooney. Cooney sought to provide <br />programming for preschoolers <br />that would both entertain and educate. Puppeteer Jim Henson created some of <br />televisions most recognizable characters <br />for the show, including Big Bird, Grover, <br />Oscar the Grouch and Bert and Ernie. The show's diverse human characters <br />and positive social messages were <br />somewhat groundbreaking for the time. The show continues to <br />tackle difficult topics, <br />including HIV and the U.S. opioid crisis. 'Sesame Street' has played in <br />more than 120 countries and <br />has been viewed by more than <br />80 million Americans alone.
