Mickey Mouse first came alive on screens in the film 'Steamboat Willie', released on November 18, 1928 — animated by Ub Iwerks and directed by Walt Disney. In this early 1930s photo courtesy of The Walt Disney Company, Walt Disney is seen surrounded by Mickey Mouse puppets. Photo: AFP

Prior to that talking film debut, Mickey Mouse had starred in two silent short clips but those did not find buyers. The release of the first talkie, 'The Jazz Singer', gave Walt Disney the idea for a sound cartoon. Pictured here is a still from 'Steamboat Willie'. File pic

The story goes that Mickey was originally to be named Mortimer, but Lillian Disney felt that that name did not work and suggested the shorter, catchier 'Mickey' to her husband Walt. This photo courtesy of The Walt Disney Company shows Walt and Lillian Disney on board The Rex in 1935.

Mickey has different names around the world. In Sweden, he is known as Musse Pigg; he is Mi Lao Shu in China and Topolino in Italy. In this photo from the National Archives in 2014 in Washington, DC, Walt Disney's signature is seen on a document used in a copyright claim against Pathe Exchange and Van Beuren Corporation for the characters Milton and Mary which were similar to Mickey and Minnie Mouse. Photo: AFP

The character enjoys a massive following in India. Here, Mickey and Minnie Mouse, clad in traditional Indian attire, were pictured atop a bus in Mumbai on Mickey’s 80th birthday on November 18, 2008. Photo: AFP

The first ever cartoon character to get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Mickey was added to the renowned venue on November 18, 1978. Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse have had international tributes too. For example, see their statues standing at the Tokyo Disneyland in Urayasu city, suburban Tokyo while visitors enjoyed Disney characters' parade in 2001, around the centennial anniversary of Walt Disney's birth. Photo: AFP