Dec 8, 1953-Release Of The Novelty Tune 'I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas', Comments

Dec 8, 1953-Release of the novelty tune 'I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas', written by John Rox, performed by 10 year old Gayla Peevey. A local promoter picked up on the popularity of the song and launched a campaign to present her with an actual hippopotamus on Christmas.The campaign succeeded, and she was presented with a hippo, which she donated to the city zoo. The hippopotamus lived for nearly 50 years.

If, for the last several Christmases,
you've asked for one or more Hippopotamuses,
...
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