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Smokey the Bear Has 65th Birthday, So What's the Controversy?

Smokeybear Here's a question that you're not likely to see on Jay Leno's Jay Walkers, "quiz the clueless passerby" -- "Who is Smokey the Bear?" That is because everyone knows Smokey (I think). But here are several details that might not be so well known.

In his 65 years of service as the spokesbear for the longest running public service campaign in our history, he has had three official messages. The original message of "Smokey Says -- Care Will Prevent 9 out of 10 Forest Fires" was quickly changed to "Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires" (much stronger impact, I think) which held for years before being updated in 2001 to cover grassy fires by saying "Only You Can Prevent Wildfires."

So what could be controversial about Smokey? It's all in his name -- is it Smokey Bear or Smokey the Bear? Smokey Bear is the official, legal name. But in 1952 songwriters Steve Nelson and Jack Rollins created the popular Smokey the Bear Song (listen to Smokey the Bear Song) and they took license with the name and inserted "the" for better song rhythm.

This iconic character carries an important message. But his birthday cake doesn't hold many candles. Learn more about Smokey the Bear by visiting his website and by reading: Hot Foot Teddy: The True Story of Smokey Bear

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