In 2000, which U.S. institution named Big Bird a Living Legend?

The Library of Congress named Big Bird a Living Legend in 2000.

The honor came through the Library of Congress Living Legends program, which recognized people and creative figures who made significant contributions to American life. Big Bird was an unusual honoree because he is a fictional Sesame Street character, yet his educational and cultural influence was unmistakably real.

Created for Sesame Street by Jim Henson and performed for decades by Caroll Spinney, Big Bird became one of American children’s television’s most recognizable figures. His childlike curiosity, mistakes, and friendships helped the program explain difficult ideas in an accessible way.

The designation is sometimes confused with honors associated with the Smithsonian Institution or the Kennedy Center, both of which have recognized major cultural figures in other contexts. Big Bird’s 2000 title specifically belonged to the Library of Congress’s Living Legends initiative. The program began that year and honored contributors across fields including the arts, science, public service, and entertainment.