The original story of America’s favorite surly duck began 81 years ago on June 9. A creation of Walt Disney Productions, Donald Duck is widely known as Mickey Mouse’s sidekick, but his first appearance was in a Silly Symphony cartoon called The Wise Little Hen sans Mickey. Donald is known for his short fuse, and much like Yosemite Sam and rival Daffy Duck, he is prone to hopping, spitting temper tantrums.