On October 2, 1950, seven American newspapers began to publish a four panel-long comic strip created by Charles M Schulz, featuring three children. Two days later, a beagle named Snoopy was added, creating a cast that became firmly imprinted in popular culture for over five decades. Peanuts was hailed for its psychological complex humour. It spurred numerous adaptations, one of the first of which was A Charlie Brown Christmas, a TV special that debuted on December 9, 1965. Ironically, it was pegged to be a 'disaster' by its producers. Featuring a cast of child actors, a jazz score by pianist Vince Guaraldi, and the conspicuous absence of a laugh track, it defied norms. Yet, welcomed by critics and viewers, it won an Emmy and a Peabody Award, and became a holiday classic.

Charles Schulz. Pic courtesy/Wikimedia commons