America's Toon Mascots Did You know... The Snake was one of America's first mascots? Ben Franklin was our first cartoonist? Paul Revere was also a cartoonist?

America is perhaps the only country in the world whose entire history is documented in cartoon form. Thanks to a freedom of press that enables cartoonist to poke fun at our country, our presidents and ourselves.

In 1754 Benjamin Franklin drew and published America's first cartoon. A simple cartoon of a snake cut into 13 pieces with the words Join or Die! While many people could not read at the time, the image was a powerful reminder that if the 13 colonies did not strike together, like the snake they would surely die. The snake was one of America's first mascots. One of our first flags was the popular image of a snake with the words, "Don't Tread on Me." Congress eventually decided on a more permanent mascot. A badly drawn Bald Eagle which Ben Franklin strongly disliked. He thought it looked more like a turkey. He wrote a satirical letter to his daughter on the merits of why the turkey was a better choice. You can read parts of that letter in the fictionalized account of the Great Bird Debate.

in the late 1800's cartoonist Thomas Nast helped popularize two more American mascots, the Donkey and the Elephant. Representing the Democratic and Republican parties. It was meant to be an insult, over a hundred years later and they still don't get it!

Now its your turn to decide who you think should be America's Mascot. Should it be Turkey or Eagle, or perhaps a third party candidate such as snake, donkey or elephant. Come up with good reasons why you think your animal should be the choice. Have a debate. Visit your local aviary and see which one your like more.  Print up campaign posters for Turkey or Eagle, or make up your own! Make buttons, T-shirts, whatever it takes to campaign for your choice for our National Bird! When your are all done, your whole class or school can take a vote. Help celebrate over 250 years of Toons in the United States of America!

You can print up posters of Eagle or Turkey.. Play tic tac toe to decide. Read the story of the Great Debate. Contact Joe Wos for more information on America the Tooniful.