smokey the bear was changed to smokey bear in 1952.
smokey the bear was changed to smokey bear in 1952.
when was smokey the bear changed to smokey bear?
1952
a smokey bear doll was produced by ideal toys beginning in 1952; the doll included a mail-in card for children to become junior forest rangers. children could also apply by writing the u.s. forest service or smokey bear at his zip code. within three years half a million children had applied. also in 1952, songwriters steve nelson and jack rollins had a successful song named "smokey the bear" which was performed by eddy arnold. the pair said "the" was added to smokey's name to keep the song's rhythm. during the 1950s, that variant of the name became widespread both in popular speech and in print, including at least one standard encyclopedia, despite smokey bear's name never officially changing. a 1955 book in the little golden books series was called "smokey the bear" and he calls himself by this name in the book. it depicted him as an orphaned cub rescued in the aftermath of a forest fire, loosely following the true story of the bear chosen as smokey's "living symbol". this was the first book about him, and it was followed by many sequels and coloring books. soon, thousands of dolls, toys, and other collectibles were on the market.
smokey bear
in 2004, smokey's 60th anniversary was celebrated in several ways, including a senate resolution designating august 9, 2004, as "smokey bear's 60th anniversary", requesting that the president issue a proclamation "calling upon the people of the united states to observe the day with appropriate ceremonies and activities". according to richard earle, author of "the art of cause marketing", the smokey bear campaign is among the most powerful and enduring of all public service advertising:"smokey is simple, strong, straightforward. he's a denizen of those woods you're visiting, and he cares about preserving them. anyone who grew up watching "bambi" realizes how terrifying a forest fire can be. but smokey wouldn't run away. smokey's strong. he'll stay and fight the fire if necessary, but he'd rather have you douse it and cover it up so he doesn't have to."on the anniversary of finding smokey bear in the capitan gap fire, marianne gould from the smokey bear ranger district, eddie tudor from the smokey bear museum and neal jones from the local ruidoso, new mexico radio station created "smokey bear days" starting in 2004. the event celebrates the fire prevention message from the smokey bear campaign as well as wilderness and environmental conservation with music concerts, chainsaw carving contests, a firefighter's "muster" competition, food, vendors and a parade. the "smokey bear days" celebration is held in smokey's hometown of capitan, new mexico the first weekend of may every year.
smokey bear