Fifty-nine years ago this very day, Walt Disney proved the world wrong.

July 17th, 1955 is known as Black Tuesday because of the horrible opening day at “Walt’s Folly,” Disneyland. Expected to fail within three months, Disneyland has gone on to be the most successful theme park enterprise in the world, spanning renditions in Florida, Japan, France and China. Today, Disneyland is known the world over as a destination resort having welcomed 16.2 million guests through its gates last year alone.

On opening day, Walt Disney dedicated the park “with the hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world.” Scan the QR code to hear those famous words spoken by Walt himself, 59 years ago today.