Today in the history of the American comic strip: August 1

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.

8.1.1911: Jackie Ormes, the first African-American woman cartoonist, is born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She created the Torchy Brown comic strip and the panel cartoon Patty-Jo ’n’ Ginger.

8.1.1920: Kenneth Bald is born in New York City. He became known for the Dr. Kildare and Dark Shadows comic strips. 

8.1.1931: Tom Wilson, the creator of Ziggy, is born in Grant Town, West Virginia.

8.1.1942: The Bungle Family disappears from the comics pages, only to be revived later by creator Harry J. Tuthill.

8.1.1970: Lank Leonard, the creator of Mickey Finn, dies at 74. His strip had a 40-year run.

8.1.1982: Tom Armstrong’s Marvin debuts. It revolves around a young child named Marvin; his parents, Jeff and Jenny Miller; and their dog Bitsy.

8.1.2006: Bob Thaves, the creator of Frank and Ernest, dies in Torrance, California, at 81.
 

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.