Walter Elias DisneyWalter Elias Disney was a great innovator, inventor and entrepreneur who contributed to the history of American innovations. When Disney was younger, he had no idea that he would one day become a household name. He knew he loved to draw but never knew he would become famous for his art. Over the years, Disney has made many people's dreams come true, regardless of their age. Walt grew up on a small farm in Marceline, Missouri during his early years, but was born in Chicago, Illinois. On December 5, 1901, he was born to Flora and Elias Disney and was the fourth youngest of five children. Growing up was difficult for Walt because his family moved so many times. In 1906, the Disney family moved to Marceline, Missouri and began living small-town life. While Walt was in Missouri, he attended Park Elementary School. Living in a small town in Missouri had a huge impact on Walt's life. About five years later, in 1911, the Disneys returned to Illinois. But they didn't return to Chicago, instead moving to Kansas City. In Kansas, Walt and his older brother Roy helped their father deliver newspapers at 3:30 every morning, as well as going to Benton Grammar School. Walt also attended the Kansas City Art Institute every Saturday morning. After graduating from Benton Grammar School, he returned to Chicago and began attending McKinley High School in 1917 and began drawing for the student newspaper. Within a year of attending McKinley High, Walt dropped out and joined the army, but due to his young age they rejected him. Instead, he joined the Red Cross Ambulance Corps in Europe after World War I. (Simon, 44; shs.umsystem.edu; newworldencyclopedia.org)...... middle of paper......Beveridge, Mary)Disney's last days were in December 1966. But ten years before Disney died, Disneyland in Anaheim, California opened on July 17, 1955. Walter Elias Disney died on December 15, 1966; he died from lung cancer caused by smoking. Five years after Walt's death, Walt Disney World opened in Orlando, Florida on October 1, 1971, and after Orlando opened, places around the world began opening their own Disneylands and Disney Worlds. On April 5, 1983, Disneyland opened in Tokyo, Japan, and later that year Disney Channel aired for the first time on April 18. Disneyland in Paris was the last Disney-themed amusement park to open on April 12, 1992. In conclusion, Walt Disney was a man who made everyone's dreams come true with his great innovations and contributions to America. (anb.org; Beveridge, Mary; anb.org; Simon, 43)