Public Vote of 1999
The most significant mass retirement of all came late in 1999, when Ty announced that at the end of the year, all Beanie Babies would retire. This kept the public wondering whether or not more beanie babies would be introduced. At the end of the year, the public was given the opportunity to vote to determine if beanies should continue to be produced. There was a 50ยข fee to vote in order to prevent multiple votes by one person. Proceeds were donated to the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. About 90% of voters voted for Beanie Babies to continue, and more beanies were introduced early in 2000.
Late in 1999, following the complete retirement announcement, ten beanies were introduced that the public largely believed would be the final beanies. A few were named in honor of the seasonal occasions. But in particular, one of them was named "The End," which helped reinforce the public's belief that beanies may really end. The beanies introduced at this time included:
Read more about this topic: Retirement (Beanie Baby)
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