Today in the history of the American comic strip: July 6

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.

7.6.1898: Edgar Martin, the creator of Boots and Her Buddies (1924-1969), is born in Indianapolis, Indiana.

7.6.1982: Warren Tufts, the cartoonist who introduced the Western adventure strips Casey Juggles (1949-1954) and Lance (1955-1960), dies in Placerville, California at 56.

7.6.1991. Psychiatrist Nick Dallis dies. He created Rex Morgan, M.D.; Judge Parker; and Apartment 3-G. Dallis was 79.

7.6.2013: Lee Falk's Mandrake the Magician ends its run with the appearance of the final daily strip, following the earlier demise of the Sunday feature.
 

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.