A 'Sesame Street' timeline

1969: “Sesame Street” debuts Nov. 10; James Earl Jones is the first celebrity guest.

1970: Big Bird appears on the cover of Time.

1971: Snuffleupagus debuts as Big Bird’s friend. He’s not seen by others on the street until 1985.

1972: Count von Count debuts.

1974: “Sesame Street” is on 250 U.S. stations and in 41 countries worldwide.

1977: Kermit the Frog balloon debuts in Macy’s parade.

1978: Big Bird visits the White House.

1979: “The Muppet Movie.” Big Bird makes a cameo, telling Kermit he’s off to New York for a career in public television; Kermit guest-hosts “The Tonight Show.”

1980: Sesame Place theme park opens in Pennsylvania.

1981: Big Bird visits Mr. Rogers’ neighborhood.

1983: Actor Will Lee, who played Mr. Hooper, dies. Instead of replacing him, the humans explain death to Big Bird — “Mr. Hooper isn’t coming back.” The episode wins an Emmy, one of 122 awarded the show.

1984: Elmo joins the cast, initially as a nameless Anything Muppet. He gains a name and a following; within a few years, Elmo eclipses everyone else on the show.

1988: Maria and Luis marry; Big Bird balloon debuts in Macy’s parade.

1989: Muppets creator Jim Henson begins negotiations with Disney to sell Muppets, excluding the ones on “Sesame Street.”

1990: First lady Barbara Bush visits; Henson dies of untreated infection.

1991: Big Bird visits American Indian children in Montana.

1992: Study shows “Sesame Street” reaches 92 percent of preschoolers living below poverty line.

1994: First lady Hillary Clinton visits; Big Bird gets star on Hollywood Walk of Fame.

1996: Russian version of “Sesame Street” airs for the first time; Tickle-Me Elmo is the holiday “must-have” toy.

1998: Elmo’s World debuts on the street.

1999: “Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland” premieres; “Sesame Street” wins 75th Emmy; Big Bird featured on postage stamp.

2000: Children’s Television Workshop changes name to Sesame Workshop; Jim Henson Company sells ownership of “Sesame Street” Muppets to Sesame Workshop.

2001: Big Bird’s nest destroyed by hurricane, helping children learn about coping with loss; new Big Bird balloon debuts in Macy’s parade.

2002: Four episodes indirectly address Sept. 11 attacks; New York firefighters appear on the show; 4,000th episode airs; Elmo testifies before Congress subcommittee on importance of music education for children.

2003: First lady Laura Bush visits, reads book, “Wubba Wubba Woo.”

2004: Program launches Healthy Habits for Life initiative to address childhood obesity.

2005: “Sesame Street” wins 101st Emmy, setting record for most Emmy wins by a television series.

2006: Caroll Spinney, Big Bird and Oscar puppeteer from the beginning, awarded Lifetime Achievement Award at annual Daytime Emmys; fairy-in-training Abby Cadabby becomes the first female Muppet to join the show in 13 years.

2008: 39th season begins in high definition, adds Indian-American cast member Leela.

2009: “Sesame Street” wins 122nd Emmy, honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award; first lady Michelle Obama visits to plant seeds on 40th season’s opening episode.