Walt Disney’s Donald Duck & Co.

Been a year already and time to celebrate(?) another National Polka Dot Day.

Faithful followers will remember we initiated our recognition of the day with the Spot, a Marvel Comics villain, known for his dust ups with Spider-Man and Daredevil. This year’s emcee is none other than Minnie Mouse.

But, first, a little bit about the holiday.

   National Polka Dot Day’s history and origins are a little ambiguous. For some reason polka dots became associated with the Black Death through the 19th century. Then, the polka dance craze struck. About the same time, fabric makers discovered how to produce polka dot patterns on fabrics and the pattern has never looked back.

   The dotted revolution was in its hey day during the 1950s.  As with fashion it waned over the next two decades until a resurgence in the 1980s and ’90s.

In 2016 Walt Disney World chose to commemorate polka dots with the inaugural National Polka Dot Day. That may have come as a result of the company’s mouse fashionista, Minnie.

Minnie, or Minerva, Mouse first appeared with her counterpart, Mickey, in the iconic Steamboat Willie in 1928. Her first illustrated appearance was a comic strip entitled Mr. Slicker and the Egg Robbers that ran from Sept. 22 to Dec. 26, 1930. It also introduced her father Marcus Mouse and an unnamed mother.

While more of a plain Jane in the beginning, Minnie blossomed with her polka dotted style that has become a trademark.

Other uses of polka dots include Shirley Temple’s dress in Stand Up and Cheer from 1934. Marilyn Monroe sexed it up a bit with her white polka dotted dress in the film Seven Year Itch. Julia Roberts launched her career with a polka dotted dandy in Pretty Woman.

So, let’s celebrate with a little Disney fantasy. Donald Duck & Co. may be the first comic book appearance of Minnie.