Today in the history of the American comic strip: August 26

American cartoonists and writers may not have invented the comic strip, but some argue that the comics, as we know them today, are an American creation. Clearly, the United States has played an outsize role in the development of this underappreciated art form.

8.26.1920: Brant Parker, who co-created The Wizard of Id with Johnny Hart and Crock with Bill Rechin, is born in Los Angeles, California. He was named 1984 Outstanding Cartoonist of the Year by the National Cartoonists Society. The same society honored him with Newspaper Comic Strip awards in 1971, 1976, 1980, 1982 and 1983.

8.26.2007: Kudzu makes its last Sunday appearance, shortly after the death of creator Doug Marlette in a traffic accident.

8.26.2007: Triple Take, which debuted in 2005, ends its run. Created by Todd Clark and Scott Nickel, it featured three separate punch lines in each daily installment.

The Wizard of Id

Most of the information listed here from one day to the next comes from two online sites -- Wikipedia, and Don Markstein's Toonopedia -- as well as 100 Years of American Newspaper Comics, edited by Maurice Horn. Note that my focus is on American newspaper comic strips (and the occasional foreign strip that gained popularity in the United States). Thus, comic books and exclusively online comics are not included here.