Superman Day 2017: Facts And Quotes About Man Of Steel

Superman Day or "Man of Steel" Day is marked June 12 to honor the creation of the world's most famous superhero by two young Glenville residents, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. Superman debuted in Action Comics No. 1 in an issue published June 1938.

In 2013, DC Entertainment announced June 12 as "Man of Steel" Day, giving out All Star Superman #1 Special Edition comic books by Grant Morrison and Frank Quietly to those visiting comic book retailers and bookstores across the country. The same year, Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson proclaimed the day "Superman Day" in honor of the 75th anniversary of the comic's release.

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Siegel and Shuster created the first comic, which featured relatively small feats of justice, including rescuing an innocent woman from death row and helping another woman with her abusive husband. The creators first envisioned Superman as a villain. Siegel and Shuster sold the rights to Superman for $130 the same year they created the character.

Just months after the release of the first Superman comic, DC introduced another big superhero — Batman. Superman and Batman both made their first joint appearance in 1945 in a radio serial and first appeared in the same comic book in 1952. Superman first appeared on screen in 1948, starring actor Kirk Alyn as the Man of Steel.

According to History, references to atomic bombs were censored during World War II, including an issue that featured Superman filming an atom bomb test for the Army.

Here are some quotes about Superman, courtesy Brainy Quotes.

1. "For a lot of people, Superman is and has always been America's hero. He stands for what we believe is the best within us: limitless strength tempered by compassion, that can bear adversity and emerge stronger on the other side. He stands for what we all feel we would like to be able to stand for, when standing is hardest." — J. Michael Straczynski

2. "If I had to choose a superhero to be, I would pick Superman. He's everything that I'm not." — Stephen Hawking

3. "I'm not a prophet or a stone aged man, just a mortal with potential of a superman. I'm living on." — David Bowie

4. "I think of Superman as the ultimate vanilla hero. He's this perfect refugee, this perfect immigrant from another planet who embodies the American dream." — Antje Traue

5. "I grew up watching 'Superman.' As a child, when I first learned to dive into a swimming pool, I wasn't diving, I was flying, like Superman. I used to dream of rescuing a girl I had a crush on from a playground bully." — Tom Hiddleston

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6. "My version of Superman is essentially of a guy who has spent his whole life alone." — Henry Cavill

7. "I identify with Superman. I am adopted, I am an only child, and I love the idea that he comes from another world, that he's the ultimate immigrant. He has all these extraordinary powers, and he has a righteousness about him." — Bryan Singer

8. "The thing that's been exciting about 'Superman' is to see how the character has developed through generations." — Grant Morrison