Today in the history of the American comic strip: May 15

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.

5.15.1856: L. Frank Baum, who wrote The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and its sequels, is born in Chittenango, New York. He also wrote a comic strip, illustrated by Walt McDougall, entitled Queer Visitors from the Marvelous Land of Oz, to promote one of the Oz books.

 
5.15.1886: Early comics artist Arthur R. Momand is born in San Diego, California. His creation, Keeping Up with the Joneses, popularized that title as a term for judging success by the social standing of the neighbors.

 

5.15.1949: Clovia Wallet, the daughter of Skeezix Wallet and Nina (Clock) Wallet, is born in Gasoline Alley. Years later, she married Slim Skinner, with whom she operates the Gasoline Alley Garage.
 

5.15.1995: Citizen Dog debuts. Created by Mark O’Hare, the strip focused on a man named Mel and his canine companion, Fergus. The strip went into reruns after it ended in 2001.

 5.15.2006: Liō, a pantomime strip created by Mark Tatulli, begins its run. It chronicles the adventures of a creative little boy.

Liō

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.