From Polygon · Brian VanHooker · · 1m
Charles Schulz's Final Peanuts Strip
Charles Schulz's last Peanuts comic strip, released 26 years after its debut, remains a timeless classic.
In brief
Charles Schulz's last Peanuts comic strip, released 26 years after its debut, remains a timeless classic. Charles Schulz retired Peanuts after 50 years, ending with a farewell strip on Feb 13, 2000, just one day before his death. Originally reported by Polygon.
Peanuts' First Strip
On Oct. 2, 1950, Charles Schulz's comic strip Peanuts debuted with two children on a curb.
“Well! Here comes ol’ Charlie Brown!”
Li’l Folks Predecessor
Schulz's earlier comic Li’l Folks ran from 1947 to 1950 before Peanuts began.
“Li’l Folks ran from 1947 until 1950”
Peanuts Name Origin
The name Peanuts came from The Howdy Doody Show's 'peanut gallery' audience.
“The name Peanuts was chosen because The Howdy Doody Show was popular at the time”
Global Reach
Peanuts reached over 2,600 newspapers worldwide after debuting in seven.
“Peanuts debuted in seven newspapers and would eventually be carried by over 2,600 newspapers”
Schulz's Health Decline
Schulz suffered strokes and colorectal cancer, forcing him to retire from Peanuts in December 1999.
“He suffered a series of strokes and it was discovered that he had colorectal cancer”
Final Week of Strips
Schulz published five Sunday strips and a farewell message before the final Peanuts strip.
“On Feb. 13, 2000, a Sunday version of the same farewell message ran”
Last Strip Details
The final Peanuts strip featured Charlie Brown on the phone and Snoopy at his typewriter.
“No, I think he’s writing...”
The headline
Charles Schulz retired Peanuts after 50 years, ending with a farewell strip on Feb 13, 2000, just one day before his death.
