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have also become TVs in their own right, allowing people to watch movies, shows, cartoons, and videos wherever they are in the world. TV is more than a source of entertainment; it’s a symbol of communication and globalization. With all the advancements that have been made, TVs enable access to news in a way people have never experienced before. People have never been as connected with the entire world as they are now. You can find out almost instantly what is happening in other parts of the world — a news report can be shared thousands of times within an hour after release. When the United Nations held the first World Television Forum in 1996, it was to discuss the significant impact of TVs. With access to so much information, people were understanding the world far better, becoming more aware of social injustice as well as movements toward peace and security, and focusing more on economic and social problems. The United Nations
realized just how powerful TV is and dedicated Nov. 21 as a day to spread awareness and celebrate this impact.
to enjoy a movie or check the news, you’re observing World Television Day — you just didn’t know it. This month, be aware of exactly what the TV has done in the past century, and continue its celebration by sharing your favorite form of video media.
In a way, whenever you turn on your TV, open your phone, or hop on your computers
THE STORIES BEHIND 2 ICONIC ANIMAL HEROES INVIDEO GAMES
Your family might have had the chance to play more video games lately and interact with some of the most famous animal heroes in video game history, like Yoshi or Sonic. But have you ever wondered about their real- world backstories?
Yoshi has received a positive reception since its introduction, making it Japan’s third- favorite video game character in 2008. A few fun facts: Yoshi is often referred to as male, but its gender remains unconfirmed. Also, Yoshi and K.K. Slider (from Animal Crossing) have the same voice actor! SONIC You could say that random New Yorkers chose Sonic’s ultimate design. When Sega sought to create a flagship series to rival Nintendo’s Mario, Naoto Ohshima took character designs with him on a trip to New York. He asked random passersby in Central Park to choose a design, and the spiky blue hedgehog won. That wasn’t the end of Sonic’s design alterations, though. He had a rock band phase! Initially, Sonic had fangs, was in a band, and had a human girlfriend named Madonna. The team at Sega of America, led by Madeline Schroeder (who calls herself “Sonic’s mother”), removed those elements
to “soften” the character for American audiences. While this led to heated internal debates, Sonic game designer Yuji Naka admitted it was for the best. These famous characters make our video games more energetic and fun, and their origin stories are just as unique!
YOSHI Or should we say, T. Yoshisaur
Munchakoopas? That’s Yoshi’s full name according to Nintendo’s official character guide published in 1993. Ever since the first release of Super Mario Bros, Nintendo wanted Mario to have a dinosaur companion. However, the limitations of the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) stalled that idea until Nintendo released Super Mario World for the Super NES. The inspiration for Yoshi traces back to the 1984 video game Devil World, which featured green lizards that hatch from eggs, eat enemies with large mouths, and emit the very same signature Yoshi giggle when they hatch.
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