Today in the history of the American comic strip: June 9

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.

6.9.1918: The Star Company syndicate begins distributing Rube Goldberg’s Boob McNutt nationally. The comic about a clumsy, incompetent fellow ran until 1934.

6.9.1974: Dotty Dripple, a domestic comedy strip created by Jim McMenamy and modeled on Blondie, ends its run after 30 years.

6.9.1986: Mister Boffo, a strip created by Joe Martin, goes into syndication. The main character is Earl, who is usually shown as being married to a blonde woman named Nadine. But the comic zips around in time and space, and Earl is depicted in various unrelated roles.
 

Dotty Dripple

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.