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Story of Smokey

Explore Smokey Bear’s History

Since 1944, Smokey’s been working hard to inspire Americans to prevent wildfires. Follow his history here through memorabilia and print, radio and TV messages.

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Two stamps are side by side. There is a red stamp that reads "why?" The second stamp is green and reads "Remember.. only you can prevent forest fires." — 1960: U.S. & State Forest Services Stamp

Two stamps are side by side. There is a red stamp that reads "why?" The second stamp is green and reads "Remember.. only you can prevent forest fires." — 1960: U.S. & State Forest Services Stamp

1960: Barbara Stanwyck Radio Commercial

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1960: Broderick Crawford Radio Commercial

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1960: Billy Gray Radio Commercial

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1960: Willard Waterman Radio Commercial

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1960: Walter Brennan Radio Commercial

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1960: Dinah Shore Radio Commercial

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Smokey Bear 20th year anniversary poster. — 1961: Smokey Bear 20th Anniversary

Smokey Bear 20th year anniversary poster. — 1961: Smokey Bear 20th Anniversary

Two stamps are side by side. There is an orange stamp that reads "I promise not to play matches." The second stamp is green and reads "Prevent forest fires." — 1962: U.S. & State Forest Services Stamp

Two stamps are side by side. There is an orange stamp that reads "I promise not to play matches." The second stamp is green and reads "Prevent forest fires." — 1962: U.S. & State Forest Services Stamp

Smokey Bear points to a chalkboard that reads "The Smokey Bear Story." — 1962: The Smokey Bear Story

Smokey Bear points to a chalkboard that reads "The Smokey Bear Story." — 1962: The Smokey Bear Story

A poster depicting Smokey playing with building blocks reads "always hold matches 'til cold. Be sure to drown all fires. Crush all smokes dead out. Follow Smokey's ABCs. Please! Only you can prevent wildfires." — 1964: Posters

A poster depicting Smokey playing with building blocks reads "always hold matches 'til cold. Be sure to drown all fires. Crush all smokes dead out. Follow Smokey's ABCs. Please! Only you can prevent wildfires." — 1964: Posters

A poster depicting Smokey that reads "always hold matches 'til cold. Be sure to drown all fires. Crush all smokes dead out. Follow Smokey's ABCs. Please! Only you can prevent wildfires." — 1966: Posters

A poster depicting Smokey that reads "always hold matches 'til cold. Be sure to drown all fires. Crush all smokes dead out. Follow Smokey's ABCs. Please! Only you can prevent wildfires." — 1966: Posters

A Smokey Bear Poster nailed onto a tree in the woods reads "Thanks, Folks!" — 1967: Thanks Folks

A Smokey Bear Poster nailed onto a tree in the woods reads "Thanks, Folks!" — 1967: Thanks Folks

A poster is broken up into four squares. The first depicts Smokey and reads "Only you can prevent wildfires." The second depicts a match and reads "Use fire carefully." The third depicts Smokey tipping his hat and reads "thanks folks, for being careful." The fourth image depicts two boys playing baseball and reads "Smokey's friends don't play with matches." — 1968: U.S. & State Forest Services Stamp

A poster is broken up into four squares. The first depicts Smokey and reads "Only you can prevent wildfires." The second depicts a match and reads "Use fire carefully." The third depicts Smokey tipping his hat and reads "thanks folks, for being careful." The fourth image depicts two boys playing baseball and reads "Smokey's friends don't play with matches." — 1968: U.S. & State Forest Services Stamp

1968: Kukla and Ollie

1968: Kukla and Ollie

1968: Rod Serling

1968: Rod Serling

1969: Bomb in the Forest

1969: Bomb in the Forest

1969: The Deadliest Animal

1969: The Deadliest Animal