Writer of Pop Culture

Cool and refreshing news about pop culture and entertainment.

“We’re Off to See the Wizard”: Pop Culture History for May 17

L. Frank Baum published his “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz”, for the first time.

May 15, 2026

1–2 minutes

On this day in 1900, the first of 39 Wizard of Oz books was published. Needless to say, it was the start of something big.

1900: ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’ is Published

Artwork from the book "The Wonderful World of Oz featuring Dorothy, the Cowardly Lion and the Tin Man — *(Wikimedia Commons)*

It was on this day in 1900 that L. Frank Baum’s children’s novel, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz was published for the first time by the George M. Hill Company (which would close down two years later) in Chicago. The story about Dorothy Gale getting swept up by a twister only to find herself lost in the land of Oz is one best-known stories in American literature. Baum dedicated the book “to my good friend and comrade, my wife.”

In 1902, the story became a Broadway musical that was so popular, it helped to encourage Baum to write 13 additional books. (26 more were written by different authors.) And of course there is the iconic 1939 movie. But the story hasn’t been loved by everyone. In 1986, seven Fundamentalist Christian families in Tennessee attempted to convince the local public schools to ban the book due to their opposition of depicting benevolent witches.

1977: Of Mice and Pizza

The very first Chuck E. Cheese restaurant opened in San Jose, California.

1939: First Televised Baseball Game

NBC broadcasted the first televised baseball game between Princeton vs. Columbia.

2017: A Dog’s Guide to Life

A woman and a dog look at each other while lying in bed - "Downward Dog" — (TVDB)

ABC’s sitcom Downward Dog is told largely from the dog’s point of view. It starred Allison Tolman and a dog (voiced by Samm Hodges) It ran for one season.