On this date in 1928 Walt Disney's Steamboat Willie was released. It was the first Mickey Mouse cartoon featuring sound. 88 years later, Mickey is still America's favorite mouse.

As a kid, I used to wake up as early as possible on Saturday mornings, so I could sneak down to the kitchen, pour a bowl of sugary cereal and plop down in front of the TV to watch Disney cartoons. Every summer we'd beg and beg and beg for our parents to take us to the Magic Kingdom. Finally, they did. It was the best family vacation ever.

Today we celebrate Mickey Mouse Day to honor the iconic cartoon mouse - the first animated character to get his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. There will be all kinds of local events, so check listings. Or you can try one of my favorite ways to celebrate:

• Wear your Mickey Mouse Ears! You must have an old pair hidden in the attic, right?
• Throw on a Mickey T-shirt or hoodie to go with the ears.
• Sing the "M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E" song from the Mouseketeers. 
• Get the family together to watch old Mickey cartoons, starting with Steamboat Willie, of course!
• If you live near one of Disney's parks, grab the kids and head out to The Happiest Place On Earth. (And don't forget to get them a set of ears for next year.) 

There are so many ways to celebrate. Like Walt Disney himself, we only have to use our imaginations!