October 3, 1955: The Day Two Children's Shows Premiered

On October 3, 1955, two television shows premiered that a whole generation of American children would grow up with. ABC debuted "The Mickey Mouse Club," and CBS debuted "Captain Kangaroo." Both started on the very same day.

"Captain Kangaroo" was a gentle weekday morning show. Bob Keeshan played the kindly Captain, and his friend Mr. Green Jeans was a favorite with many young viewers. For a lot of families, it was simply part of getting ready for the day.

"The Mickey Mouse Club" came on in the afternoon. It starred the Mouseketeers, a group of young performers in mouse-ear hats, and Annette Funicello became one of the best-known faces of the cast. Plenty of children at home learned the theme song and could spell out M-I-C, K-E-Y, M-O-U-S-E right along with them.

Did you watch?

Maybe you had your own pair of mouse ears. Maybe the Captain was on while your mother poured the cereal. Maybe you watched with a brother or sister, or with a whole room full of neighbor kids.

Which show was on in your house, and who did you watch it with? Share your memory with us below.