Today in the history of the American comic strip: August 4

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.

8.4.1990: Tom Batik’s John Darling ends its 11-year run following the murder of its title character.

8.4.2007: Kudzu makes its last daily appearance, shortly after the death of creator Doug Marlette in a traffic accident.

8.4.2011: The Library of American Comics releases Caniff: A Visual Biography, by Dean Mullaney. It explores the career of Milton Caniff, creator of Terry and the Pirates and Steve Canyon.

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.