Celebrating LEGO, We Are the World, and Alan Alda

Quick Smiles:

• LEGO’s patent changed play forever
• ‘We Are the World’ united music for a cause
• Alan Alda inspires with humor and heart

Sixty-eight years ago, Godtfred Christiansen filed a patent for interlocking plastic bricks, laying the foundation for LEGO, now the world’s most successful toy company. Meaning “play well,” LEGO found its signature material in ABS plastic after five years of experimentation, and to date, more than 600 billion bricks have been produced.

Even as the iconic minifigures and themed sets emerged a decade later, early LEGO blocks gained popularity with their universal fit and incredible precision. Modern LEGO bricks still connect perfectly with those from 1958, offering endless creative combinations.

During the 1990s, LEGO faced financial troubles, but the creativity of adults and innovation in moving sets helped revive the brand. By 2021, LEGO was recognized as the largest toy company in the world.

Other joyful milestones on this day include Poland’s Warsaw Confederation supporting religious freedom in 1573, the publication of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice in 1813, and the report of giant snowflakes in Montana in 1887. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was dedicated under Paris’s Arc de Triomphe in 1921, and Italian police freed a US General from captivity in 1982.

In 1985, American musicians united to record “We Are the World,” raising millions for famine relief in Africa. Written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, the song became the fastest-selling American pop single, rapidly providing crucial humanitarian aid.

Produced by Quincy Jones, the recording involved over 45 famous musicians, including Stevie Wonder, Bob Dylan, Diana Ross, and Bruce Springsteen. Altogether, the project has raised over $100 million for African relief efforts.

This day also marks Alan Alda’s 90th birthday. Beloved as Hawkeye Pierce in M*A*S*H, Alda was nominated for 21 Emmy Awards during the show’s run and won five. He wrote and directed many episodes, and starred alongside Carol Burnett in his directorial film debut, The Four Seasons.

Alda is dedicated to science communication, founding the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science and training thousands in effective science outreach. Even after a Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2015, Alda continued sharing his wisdom through memoirs and podcasts that explore science and storytelling.

Let’s celebrate these historic achievements and uplifting stories that brighten our world. Share these milestones and sweet memories to spread joy today!

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