Get ready to dot the i’s and cross the t’s because National Polka Dot Day is a whimsical celebration of all things spotted and speckled, and an homage to the iconic Minnie Mouse, Disney’s queen of dots! From the mid-19th century, dotted attire like the Dotted-Swiss and Thalertupfen (Germany’s name for dots) began to make waves in the fashion world, even gracing classic paintings like Monet’s “Luncheon on the Grass” and Bazille’s “Family Reunion.”
Polka dots really boogied into the spotlight alongside the polka dance craze in Europe, though the dance and the dot are like distant cousins with the same last name. The term “polka dot” pirouetted into the American lexicon in 1857, thanks to Godey’s Lady’s Book, a trendsetting women’s magazine.
Fast forward to the roaring ’20s and ’30s, polka dots were all the rage. Miss America flaunted a polka dot swimsuit in 1926, and then Minnie Mouse stepped onto the scene in 1928, decked out in her now-famous polka dot ensemble. Stars like Elizabeth Taylor and Marilyn Monroe kept the dot in the spotlight post-WWII, and by the 1960s, artists like Yayoi Kusama were dotting their canvases with this playful pattern.
The dot’s journey intertwines with Minnie Mouse’s own saga. Debuting in “Steamboat Willie” in 1928, Minnie became a symbol of independence, joy, and helpfulness. Voiced by many, including Russi Taylor for over three decades, Minnie danced through cartoons, films, and TV shows, always bringing a spot of happiness wherever she appeared.
National Polka Dot Day is a dotted spectacle with a Disney twist. Don your best polka-dotted attire, hashtag #RocktheDots, and dive into Minnie Mouse’s filmography, from her early appearances to modern-day adventures. Craft up some Minnie magic, or plan a trip to Disneyland to walk in the footsteps of this polka-dotted pioneer who received her star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame on this very day in 2018!
