The 1928 Olympics are held in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Only one U.S. athlete wins an individual event gold medal, Ray Barbuti in the 400-meter run.

In November 1928, the first animated cartoon with sound, Steamboat Willie, opens in New York City, and a star is born—Mickey Mouse. Mickey is the joint creation of U.S. animators Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks.

Also in November, French composer Joseph Ravel’s Bolero, based on a Spanish folk song, premieres in Paris.

And in December George Gershwin’s An American in Paris opens in New York City, with Gershwin himself playing the piano.