Lindsay NoelMrs. ForakerEnglish 922 March 2013“Walt Disney”Did you know that “The Man Behind the Magic” was fired from his local newspaper because he wasn't creative enough? This proved that Walt had a huge impact on children. When times were tough, Walt Disney still seemed to bring a smile to the faces of children around the world. Walt Disney is one of the most influential men of our time. His creative mind brought laughter and joy to many children. Meanwhile, Walt has had many difficulties in his life; this led him to make cartoons and open two of the most famous amusement parks in the world. Walt was born on December 5, 1901 in Chicago, Illinois. Walt grew up on a farm, with 2 older brothers and a younger sister. Soon the farm failed and they decided to move to Kansas City, Missouri, where Walt began delivering newspapers at the age of 10. Both of Walt's brothers had left to join the war, Herbert and Raymond. Walt was stuck at home taking care of his family. Walt's father, Elias, was diagnosed with typhus, leaving Walt to care for his family alone. Walt took night classes at an art school while still in high school (Mattern 10). At the age of 17, Walt dropped out of high school to become an ambulance driver during World War I without his parents' consent (Cole 21). Walt returned home and was soon asked by his father what his future plans would be. Walt responded with “I want to be an artist” (Cole 22). Walt, with extreme determination, tried to work as a cartoonist for the Kansas City newspapers, but they thought Walt wasn't creative enough. Walt applied at the Pesmen-Rubin Commercial Art Studio in the Gray Advertising Building. Walt received his first job as an artist. “Disney made the art for his… middle of the paper… his career. When something was in his path, he stepped over it. Walt continues to make children all over the world smile today. Walt provided cartoons to children and even adults in difficult times, adding happy memories when they were needed most. With Walt amusement parks, children still retain happy memories today that can never be forgotten. “The Man Behind the Magic” will always be remembered, so next time you watch a cartoon, think about everything that was done to be able to watch it. Works Cited Cole, Michael D. Walt Disney: Creator of Mickey Mouse. Springfield, NJ, USA: Enslow, 1996. Print.Mattern, Joanne. Walt Disney. New York: Scholastic, 2013. Print. "Walt Disney Biography". Bio.com. A&E Networks Television and Web. March 25, 2014."The Walt Disney Company." Television Asia 1 January 2012: n. page Press.