Walt Disney was born in Illinois, raised in Missouri and lived his entire adult life in California. No other state — other than Florida, of course — can lay meaningful claim to Disney in any way. Except, that is, for Connecticut, which boasts many fascinating links to the man who sired Mickey Mouse, including some surprising connections to his signature character.
In April 1917, the United States entered World War I. Two months later, Disney’s older brother, Roy, joined the Navy; in July 1918, another sibling, Ray Disney, was drafted into the Army. Meanwhile, in the fall of 1917, after completing eighth grade in Kansas City, Walt started his freshman year at McKinley High School in Chicago. He contributed patriotic cartoons to the school magazine in support of the war effort — his dream at that time was to draw political cartoons — but once classes let out in June, he was determined to get in uniform himself.
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