Today in the history of the American comic strip: January 1

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.

1.1.1953: Al Capp releases The World of Li’l Abner, a collection of comic strips, with an introduction by John Steinbeck and a forward by Charles Chaplin.
 

1.1.1980: The Far Side premieres. Created by Gary Larson, the single-panel cartoon becomes known for its surrealistic humor.

1.1.1983: Jeff Redfern, Joanie and Rick’s son, makes his first appearance in Doonesbury.

1.1.1986: Downstown, a cartoon about singles created by Tim Downs, ends its run after six years.   

1.1.1995: Gary Larson retires from The Far Side, signaling its demise after 15 years.

1.1.2000: Charlie Brown of Peanuts fame appears on the cover of Newsweek, with Snoopy and Woodstock in the background. 

1.1.2000: Motley’s Crew comes to an end after more than 20 years. The satirical strip was created by Ben Templeton and Tom Forman.

1.1.2001: The Heart of Juliet Jones, a soap opera-style strip that debuted in 1953, ends its run after almost 50 years in print.

1.1.2006: Norm Feuti debuts Retail, which is set in a fictional, suburban department store somewhere in New England.

The Far Side

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.