On this day in 1955, Disneyland, "The Happiest Place on Earth," opened at 1313 Harbor Boulevard.

The amazing amusement park was built on 160 acres in the middle of Anaheim, California orange groves. Disney called his crew of architects and planners "Imagineers" and wanted the park to be “something of a fair, an exhibition, a playground, a community center, and a museum of living facts.”

He was turned down 302 times before securing the financing for Disneyland. Each rejection, a stepping stone toward the dream.

Some speculate Disney chose the address 1313 Harbor Blvd because 'M' is the 13th letter of the alphabet—MM for Mickey Mouse. Others say the "unlucky" number 13 was Disney’s way of defying those who predicted failure.

Clearly, Disneyland did not fail. With its Fantasyland, Frontierland, Adventureland, and Tomorrowland, the park welcomed its millionth visitor just seven weeks after opening.

Disney’s "impossible" dream sparked the entire theme park industry and remains a unique experience today.

"Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals, the dreams, and the hard facts that have created America, with the hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to the world," Disney said at the opening.

“Disneyland,” he promised, “will never be complete as long as there is imagination left in the world.”

For me, the magic of Disneyland lives in the carousel. Ever since my first childhood visit, I’ve been drawn to the painted horses and gentle spin of Fantasyland’s timeless ride. Even now, as an adult, it’s the first place I go. That simple joy...the music, the motion, the memory...is one bright strand that ties together the wonders of my life.