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Smokey Bear turns 75, and there's a party in Raleigh Friday to celebrate
The free event starts at 11 a.m., Friday, Aug. 9, at the Daily Planet Theater in the NC Museum of Natural Sciences' Nature Research Center, 121 W. Jones St.
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By Sarah Lindenfeld Hall, Go Ask Mom editor
RALEIGH, N.C. — Smokey Bear turns 75 on Friday, and the NC Forest Service is throwing a party to celebrate.
The free event starts at 11 a.m., Friday, Aug. 9, at the Daily Planet Theater in the NC Museum of Natural Sciences' Nature Research Center, 121 W. Jones St.
During the event, you can watch a video about Smokey Bear, meet the big guy, sign a giant birthday card for him and take part in other activities.
Here are a few fun facts about Smokey Bear, according to the NC Forest Service ...
- Smokey was "born" on Aug. 9, 1944 when the US Forest Service and Ad Council agreed that a fictional bear named Smokey would be the symbol for their joint effort to promote forest fire prevention.
- Artist Albert Staehle was asked to paint the first poster of Smokey Bear. It depicted a bear pouring a bucket of water on a campfire and saying “Care will prevent 9 out of 10 fires.”
- Smokey Bear soon became popular as his image appeared on a variety of forest fire prevention materials. In 1947, his slogan became the familiar, “Only YOU Can Prevent Forest Fires!”
Happy birthday, Smokey!
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