Moreholidays May Cartoonist Day

                           

Cartoonist Day

Cartoon, Cartoonist Day

About Cartoonist Day

When is Cartoonist Day? This holiday is always celebrated on May 5

Cartoons brighten up and lighten up our lives. So, it is only fitting that today is Cartoonist Day, a May 5 holiday.  Today we celebrate past, present, and future cartoonists. We are all indebted to them for making our lives happier and more light-hearted.

From Sponge Bob Squarepants to Bart Simpson and Mickey Mouse, cartoons make us smile. They make us feel good. Most cartoons are intended to be funny. Others are designed for an almost endless number of reasons. Some cartoons are designed to send a message of some kind. On occasion, they are serious, political, instructional, or promotional. Of the many types of cartoons, absent are sad or sorrowful ones. That would run counter to the reason cartoons exist.

 Cartoon characters can be found in practically all media. They are on television, in newspaper and magazine comic strips, or in the “Funny Papers”. Peanuts, Dennis the Menace, Beetle Bailey, Betty Boop, and so many more cartoon characters got their start in printed media. Comic books abound with cartoon characters. Cartoon characters have been on both daytime and nighttime television since the days of black and white TV. Cartoon characters grace the big screen, too. Disney’s Mickey Mouse first appeared in the movie “Steamboat Willie” on November 18, 1928. More recent examples include Shrek, Aladdin, Nemo, and Dora the Explorer. Cartoon characters are used everywhere in advertising, too. Characters like the Trix Bunny and Captain Crunch adorn many cereal boxes. A well-recognized gecko and duck, each sell insurance on television. 

The First Cartoon Character:  In 1895, Richard F. Outcault introduced the “Yellow Kid”, the first cartoon character. He appeared in publisher Joseph Pulitzer’s New York World, running from 1895 to 1898. This bald kid in a yellow nightshirt later ran in William Randolph Hearst’s New York Journal.

How to Celebrate Cartoonist Day

Here are a few ideas on how to participate in and celebrate this holiday:

  • Read the comics in your local newspaper.
  • Watch cartoons on television.
  • Celebrate the cartoonists whose creations cause us t chuckle and smile.
  • Buy a comic book or two.

Let’s give a big TY to the many cartoonists, whose creative nature brings cartoon characters to life, and brings us much comic relief.

Today's Chuckle

“Don’t worry about the world coming to and end today. It’s already tomorrow in Australia.” – – Charles M. Schulz

History and Origin of Cartoonist Day

This holiday event was initiated by members of the National Cartoonists Society, led by Ken Alvine. Cartoonist Polly Keener of Akron, Ohio, and creator of the comic strip “Hamster Alley”,  is the major promoter of Cartoonist Day.

According to Polly Keener, this holiday was first celebrated as “National Cartoonist Day”. Over the years, it was shortened to “Cartoonist Day” to fit within the logo design. Keener told us there is no presidential proclamation or congressional resolution that would make it a true “National” day.

Cartoonist Day was first celebrated on May 5, 1999. The May 5 date was chosen to commemorate the first publication of the groundbreaking comic strip Hogan’s Alley, featuring the “Yellow Kid”. 

Definition of “National” Days – and why it is important to distinguish true National days.



More May 5 Holidays

Here are more May 5 holidays you will enjoy:

Cinco de Mayo

National Hoagie Day

Oyster Day

More About Today

This Day in History

Famous May Birthdays

Flower of the Day: Butterfly Flower

Recipe of the Day: Jello Cake

Ecards Send a free Ecard daily for just about any May calendar holiday, occasion, observance, or event. Or, just for the fun of it!

Holiday Insights, where every day in May is a holiday, a bizarre or wacky day, an observance, or a special event. Join us in the daily calendar fun each and every day of the year.

Did You Know? There are literally thousands of daily holidays, special events, and observances, more than one for every day of the year. and many of these holidays are new. People and organizations are creating new holidays regularly. May holidays are no exception. Consequently, at Holiday Insights, we take great efforts to thoroughly research and document the details of each one, as completely and accurately as possible.

Please Support Our Site. Shop for: