About National Cartoonists Day
Let's be honest, for many of us, skipping to the cartoons in the newspaper is a guilty pleasure, and cartoon strips have given us many beloved and iconic characters, such as Garfield, and Calvin and Hobbes.
May 5th is National Cartoonist Day, a worldwide celebration of cartoonists and their work. The National Cartoonist Society declared the date in the 1990s to promote support for the cartooning industry, and to recognize the impact they have had on society.
The date of May 5th was chosen to recognize the first appearance (in color) of the mischievous cartoon character "The Yellow Kid" in the New York World newspaper on May 5, 1895. The character was created by comic strip artist Richard F. Outcault, and was featured in his cartoon titled "At the Circus in Hogan's Alley"
Many famous cartoon characters started in newspaper comic strips. Here are some examples:
Garfield: Created by Jim Davis, Garfield first appeared in newspapers in 1978. The lasagna-loving orange cat has since become a beloved character in comic books, television shows, and movies.
Peanuts: Created by Charles M. Schulz, the Peanuts gang, including Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and Lucy, first appeared in newspapers in 1950. The comic strip ran for 50 years and has since become a cultural icon.
Calvin and Hobbes: Created by Bill Watterson, Calvin and Hobbes first appeared in newspapers in 1985. The adventures of the mischievous boy and his stuffed tiger have become beloved by fans of all ages.
Blondie: Created by Chic Young, Blondie first appeared in newspapers in 1930. The comic strip follows the adventures of a blonde flapper and her husband Dagwood, and has since become one of the longest-running comic strips in history.
These are just a few examples of the many famous cartoon characters that started in newspaper comic strips. Newspaper strips have been a launching pad for some of the most beloved and iconic characters in pop culture.
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