Cartoon Timeline of Events

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Cartoon

A cartoon is a form of two-dimensional illustrated visual art. While the specific definition has changed over time, modern usage refers to a typically non-realistic or semi-realistic drawing or painting intended for satire, caricature, or humor, or to the artistic style of such works...

Timeline of Events

1870

1.15.1870

A political cartoon for the first time symbolizes the United States Democratic Party with a donkey ("A Live Jackass Kicking a Dead Lion" by Thomas Nast for Harper's Weekly).

1874

11.7.1874

A cartoon by Thomas Nast in ''Harper's Weekly'', is considered the first important use of an elephant as a symbol for the United States Republican Party.

1928

11.18.1928

Release of the animated short ''Steamboat Willie'', the first fully synchronized sound cartoon, directed by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks, featuring the third appearances of cartoon characters Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse. This is also considered by the Disney corporation to be Mickey's birthday.

1929

1.17.1929

Popeye the Sailor Man, a cartoon character created by Elzie Segar, first appears in the Thimble Theatre comic strip.

1930

8.16.1930

The first color sound cartoon, called Fiddlesticks, is made by Ub Iwerks.

1933

5.27.1933

The Walt Disney Company releases the cartoon ''Three Little Pigs'', with its hit song "Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?"