On this day in 1971, Walt Disney World’s citrus mascot, Orange Bird, made his debut at a press event in Lakeland, Florida. The cheerful bird was sponsored by the Florida Citrus Commission and promoted the state’s sunshine and citrus fruit. Orange Bird often visited guests as a walkaround character at the Sunshine Tree Terrace restaurant in the Magic Kingdom, where his orange-flavored treats, like the citrus swirl soft serve, hit the spot. The Sherman Brothers even wrote a whole album about him! [55 years ago in 2025]