Today in the history of the American comic strip: May 8

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.

5.8.1971: The New York Times and the San Francisco Chronicle report that Li'l Abner creator Al Capp has been charged with “morals” offenses for allegedly exposing himself to a female student at a university in Wisconsin and sexually assaulting her on April 1, 1971. Capp denies the allegations.

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.