It's Godzilla's 50th birthday, and what better way to celebrate than by staging a scholarly conference? Later this month in Kansas, you too can attend In Godzilla's Footsteps: Japanese Pop Culture Icons on the Global Stage.

Quote: To commemorate the King of the Monsters' fiftieth birthday, the University of Kansas Center for East Asian Studies is hosting a conference in which scholars from around the world will consider the Godzilla films and their surprising impact on global culture. Find out what a man in a latex lizard suit can tell us about the making of media icons, the international appeal of Japanese pop culture (from AstroBoy and Hello Kitty! to anime and Yu-Gi-Oh!), and the enduring charm of creature features.

You know, I do agree that Godzilla has completely taken over our consciousness in some odd way. Anya, our soon to by 9 year old, considers Godzilla to be one of the "classic" monsters, like Cyclops, werewolves, vampires and of course King Kong and Gamera.

Anya wants everyone to say, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GODZILLA!!!!"