October 2
PEANUTS DAY
The renowned comic strip Peanuts, from the pen of cartoonist Charles Schulz, began on this day in 1950 in seven U.S. newspapers. The strip, for the United Features Syndicate, had only three characters at its inception: Charlie Brown, Peppermint Patty (Reichardt) and Shermy. The world’s most famous beagle, Snoopy, made his first appearance on October 4th. Later, we were introduced to Linus, Lucy Van Pelt, Sally and Schroeder; and learned that the Peanuts gang came from the California town of Sebastopol, which really exists.
Charlie Brown starred in his own Broadway musical, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, along with the rest of the gang; and in several movies; and in several TV specials. A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and A Charlie Brown Christmas are rerun on TV year after year, no doubt attracting new audiences each time around.
Snoopy, everyone’s favorite character in the strip, became so famous that the comic strip, although titled, Peanuts, is often referred to as Snoopy.
The last Peanuts strip created by Charles Shultz, as he was set to retire, showed Snoopy at his typewriter surrounded by other Peanuts regulars. Snoopy was typing out a “Dear Friends” letter thanking readers:
“I have been grateful over the years for the loyalty of our editors and the wonderful support and love expressed to me by fans of the comic strip,” Schulz wrote. “Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Linus, Lucy ... how can I ever forget them ... ” It ended with his signature.
Charles Shulz died Feb 12, 2000 as the last strip was headed for newsstands. And readers of 2400 newspapers, in 68 countries, who speak in 26 different languages, read their beloved Peanuts through tears that turned to smiles as they recalled the wonderful moments those little children and our favorite dog, Snoopy gave us.
Those Were the Days, the Today in History service from 440 International
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