One of the most beloved children's book characters in recent memory, Winnie-the-Pooh was conceived by A.A. Milne, a British author and playwright. Whether you're celebrating Milne's birthday on January 18, honoring the publication of Winnie-the-Pooh on October 14, or just a Pooh fan year-round, you've got to know these 10 fun facts about Winnie-the-Pooh.

1. Sterling Holloway, who gave voice to Winnie-the-Pooh in the Disney featurettes until 1977, also was the voice of the Cheshire Cat in Alice in Wonderland and Sleepy in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
2. A.A. Milne, author of Winnie-the-Pooh, served in both WWI and WWII.
3. Milne based the character on a teddy bear named Edward owned by his son Christopher. The character's name derived from a black bear at the London Zoo named Winnie and a swan they saw on holiday, "Pooh."
4. The name Winnie-the-Pooh first appeared in print in a Christmas story published in The Evening News on Christmas Eve 1925.
5. The skull of the real Winnie was displayed at the Being Human Festival in London for the first time in 2015.
6. "The Wonderful Thing About Tiggers" was composed by Richard M. Sherman, with lyrics by Robert B. Sherman.
7. In 1951, Christopher Milne, the muse behind Christopher Robin, opened the Harbour Bookshop with his wife Lesley.
8. The only two characters who attempt to write poetry in the Winnie-the-Pooh books are Eeyore and Winnie.
9. Piglet was not originally included in the 1966 Disney film Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree.
10. Unlike Piglet, Kanga, Roo, Winnie-the-Pooh, Eeyore, and Tigger, Rabbit was not based on a toy owned by Christopher Milne.