The Adventures of the REAL Winnie-the-Pooh

New York Public Library

Speaking of British bears, the beloved children's book Winnie-the-Pooh was first published on Oct. 14, 1926!

I said goodbye to Paddington and popped back across The Pond to wish Winnie and his friends a happy anniversary.

Author A. A. Milne originally gave the stuffed bear to his son Christopher for his first birthday. Eventually named Winnie-the-Pooh, the bear and other stuffed animals inspired Milne to write his famous books.

Milne later donated the stuffed toys to American publisher E.P. Dutton in 1947. Winnie-the-Pooh, Piglet, Kanga (Roo was long gone), Eeyore and Tigger remained with Dutton until they were donated to the New York Public Library where they have been on display since Sept. 11, 1987.

British politicians have been asking for the historic toys return (and American politicians refusing) since at least 1998.

Mike McCurry, spokesman for then-President Bill Clinton proclaimed, "As the President indicated to some of us, the notion that the United States would lose Winnie is utterly unbearable."

It's nice to see some toys getting the respect they deserve.