January 8, 1936 – Walt Disney is Awarded the Légion d’Honneur
“Honneur et Patrie”
On January 8, 1936, Walt Disney was awarded the Légion d’Honneur (Legion of Honor). The order, known fully as the National Order of the Legion of Honor, is the highest decoration in France, established by Napoleon Bonaparte on May 19, 1802. By 1936, the Disney Studios were firmly established in Hollywood, having had success with the Mickey Mouse short films and the Silly Symphonies. Jean Joseph Viala, the French Consul General, presented the medal to Disney at the Hyperion Studio, recognizing Disney for his work in shaping the animated art form, spreading good will around the world.
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