Cartoonists Day

Cartoonists Day is an American holiday dedicated to cartoonists and other artists who create cartoons and comics. It is a demanding creative profession that requires the ability to make characters visually expressive and capable of conveying emotion. The holiday is observed annually on May 5.

History of Cartoonists Day

The modern development of organized cartooning is often linked to the early 1940s. In 1943, a group of artists, including G. Edson, B. Dunn, and D. Russell, created cartoon shows to entertain World War II soldiers during hospital treatment and rehabilitation. As these events grew in popularity, the National Cartoonists Society (NCS) was formed in 1946 to support cartoonists at different skill levels and help promote the craft.

Cartoonists Day itself was established much later, in 1999. The holiday encourages people to create newspaper cartoons, comic strips, and other illustrated storytelling formats, and it recognizes cartoonists for their contributions to culture and the arts.

Interesting Facts About Cartoonists Day

• A mischievous boy first appeared in the New York World newspaper in 1895 and became a well-known character in its comic features. That period is often associated with the early growth of American newspaper comics.
• The comic strip later became known as The Yellow Kid.
• Comics gained major popularity with superhero stories, including long-running series from Marvel and DC. For example, Marvel’s modern era is commonly linked to the early 1960s.

How to Take Part in Cartoonists Day

You can mark Cartoonists Day in simple ways:

• Reach out to cartoonists or illustrators you know and thank them for their work.
• Try drawing a favorite character or sketching a short comic of your own.
• Read a comic strip, graphic novel, or collection, or revisit a classic cartoon series.

If you share something online, consider highlighting a cartoonist whose work you enjoy.

When Is Cartoonists Day in 2026?

Cartoonists Day is observed on May 5 each year.

Observations