National Garfield the Cat Day Timeline

1984

Garfield becomes a high flying feline

Garfield blows up as the giant Garfield helium balloon makes its debut in the Macy’s Annual Thanksgiving Day Parade.

1982

Garfield becomes a cover cat

Garfield makes the cover of People magazine as America’s #1 personality.

June 19, 1978

Garfield first debuts

Originally rejected by the King Features, Post-Hall and The Chicago Tribune-New York News agencies, United Feature Syndicate accepted the retooled strip and debuted it in 41 newspapers.

3100 B.C.

Cats become deities

The earliest evidence of felines as deities comes from an Ancient Egyptian 3100 B.C. crystal cup decorated with an image of the cat-headed goddess Mafdet.