Flashback Friday: 40th Anniversary of Sesame Street

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Piano woman Alicia Keys and Elmo sing a jingle on the set of ‘Sesame Street’ on December 2, 2004.

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Actress Whoopi Goldberg and Kami, the HIV-positive muppet from the South Africa production of Sesame Street, embrace during a town hall meeting in observance of World AIDS Day at the United Nations November 26, 2002 in New York City.

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United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan sings the Alphabet Song along with Sesame Street characters during the taping of the show December 6, 2001. During the taping, the ever diplomatic Mr. Annan breaks up an argument among the characters who are trying to determine who gets to sing the ABCs.

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Actress Sonia Manzano who plays Maria Rodriquez on ‘Sesame Street’ and the Muppet Grover launch the new ‘Super Grover’ sandwich in honor of the 4,000th ‘Sesame Street’ episode February 27, 2002 at the Stage Deli in New York City.

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Wayne Brady and Bett Sussman join Big Bird and his muppet pals for a Mr. Rogers tribute on May 16, 2009.

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Circa 1969: Hosts of the television show, ‘Sesame Street’ pose on the set with Big Bird. Left to right: Matt Robinson (1937-2002), Will Lee (1908-1982), Loretta Long and Bob McGrath.

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Stevie Wonder performs “Superstitious” with ‘Sesame Street’ character Grover.

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Zuzu, Kami and Zikwe from Takalani Sesame the South African adaptation of ‘Sesame Street’ are all smiles when guests Desmond Tutu and Oprah Winfrey join the set.

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Actor Matt Robinson chats with baked goods loving Muppet character the Cookie Monster in scene from PBS kids educational show ‘Sesame Street’.

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Talk Show host Oprah Winfrey and ‘Sesame Street’ Muppet Elmo pose for the paparazzi at the Sesame Workshop’s Second Annual Benefit Gala June 2, 2004 in New York City.

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Vanessa Williams and her son Devin join Big Bird and Telly Monster to launch of ‘Sesame Street Beginnings: Language To Literacy’ project.

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Muppet Elmo and voice of Elmo, Emmy-winning performer, producer and director, Kevin Clash pose at the ‘Sesame Street: Made In NY’ panel discussion at the Apollo Theater on November 18, 2008 in New York City.

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Sixth Annual Daytime Emmy Awards. The cast and crew of ‘Sesame Street’ onstage at the 36th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards at The Orpheum Theatre on August 30, 2009 in Los Angeles, California.

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Former U.S. Secretary of State Condolezza Rice shakes hands with Elmo at a Jakarta school in March 2006.

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Co-hosts Robin Roberts and Diane Sawyer enjoy the company of some muppets during a taping of Good Morning America at ABC Studios in New York City.

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Serena Williams and ‘Sesame Street’ Muppet Elmo strike a pose behind the scenes of the PIX morning show.

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Sesame Street cast members Alison Bartlett O’Reilly, Desiree Casado, Sonia Manzano, Loretta Long, Bob McGrath, and Roscoe Orman attend the ‘Sesame Street’ 40th anniversary temporary street renaming in Dante Park on November 9, 2009 in New York City.

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Michelle Obama joins the set of ‘Sesame Street’ on the show’s 40th Anniversary November 10, 2009.