Today in the history of the American comic strip: December 24

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.

12.24.1880: Johnny Gruelle, the creator of Brutus, is born in Arcola, Illinois. An artist, children's book author and songwriter, Gruelle is best known as the creator of Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy, book characters and dolls.

12.24.1957: Stanley Link, the creator of the Tiny Tim strip, dies. The comic ran from 1931 to 1958.

Brutus

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.