Disney celebrates Mickey Mouse’s birthday today, the 95th anniversary of the release of Steamboat Willie. Myles Burke writes how the success of the synchronized-sound cartoon saved the studio and paved the way for more ambitious animated films.

In 44 days, when the copyright expires for Steamboat Willie, we’ll also celebrate the long-awaited (and much-delayed) arrival of Mickey and Minnie Mouse in the public domain. Rebecca Tushnet explains what that means practically. #PublicDomainDayCountdown