Today in the history of the American comic strip: May 12

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.

5.12.1962: Dick Calkins, who initially illustrated Buck Rogers in the 25th Century A.D. and was a co-creator of Skyroads, dies at 67 in Tucson, Arizona.

5.12.1972: In today’s Peanuts strip, Linus moves into the dorm room of Joe Cool (Snoopy), after Linus’ sister Lucy throws him out of the house. The dorm room is, of course, Snoopy’s doghouse. Joe Cool made his first appearance in 1971.

Buck Rogers in the 25th Century A.D.

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.