Today in the history of the American comic strip: December 23

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.

12.23.1892: Ward Greene is born in Asheville, New Carolina. A short story he wrote in 1945 contributed to the story line for the 1955 animated movie Lady and the Tramp. The comic strip Scamp was inspired by the movie, and Greene wrote the newspaper cartoon during its first months, working with artist Dick Moores.
 

12.23.1900: The creator of The Little King, Otto Soglow, is born in New York City. His strip, which debuted in 1930, ran for 45 years.

The Little King

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.