Today in the history of the American comic strip: December 17

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.

12.17.1904: Kin Hubbard launches Abe Martin, whose eponymous character was known for make wisecracks and cooking up sayings that caught on with the public. The strip ran until 1937.
 

12.17.1934: Carl Anderson’s Henry begins its life as a daily newspaper strip, following previous appearances in The Saturday Evening Post.

12.17.1953: Stephen Slesinger, co-creator of Red Ryder and creator of King of the Royal Mounted, dies. The multi-talented Slesinger also was a radio, television and film producer.

12.17.1961: Leonard Starr’s On Stage changes its name to Mary Perkins on Stage. Launched in 1957, it ran until 1979.

12.17.2019: The New York Times reports that Gary Larson’s The Far Side is returning, this time online, with past cartoons, doodles, and, as Larson put it, “new things every so often.” Larson retired the newspaper strip in 1995.
 

Henry

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.