February 13, 2000, marked the end of an era in American popular culture. On that Sunday, the final original Peanuts comic strip, created by Charles M. Schulz, was published in newspapers around the world. For nearly half a century, Schulz’s simple black-and-white drawings and quietly profound humor had chronicled the hopes, anxieties, and small triumphs of characters who felt deeply human—despite being children, a dog, and a bird.

Peanuts first appeared on October 2, 1950, introducing readers to Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus, and a growing cast of unforgettable personalities. What began as a modest daily strip soon became a cultural institution. At its peak, Peanuts ran in more than 2,600 newspapers in 75 countries and was read by hundreds of millions of people. Schulz’s genius lay in his ability to blend humor with melancholy, creating stories that resonated across generations.

The final strip’s publication carried added emotional weight. Just one day earlier, on February 12, 2000, Charles M. Schulz passed away at the age of 77 after a battle with colon cancer. Though newspapers had already been scheduled to run the farewell strip, the timing transformed it into a poignant goodbye—both from the artist and from the characters he had drawn almost every day for 50 years.

The strip itself was simple and deeply personal. In it, Snoopy sits atop his doghouse at a typewriter, composing a letter addressed to the readers. Schulz thanked them for their loyalty and support and explained that he could no longer continue drawing the strip due to his health. The message ended with gratitude and humility, closing the chapter on a body of work that had become inseparable from daily life for millions.

Schulz had long insisted that Peanuts would end with him. Unlike many other comic strips that passed to new artists, Peanuts remained entirely Schulz’s creation, drawn and written solely by him throughout its run. This decision preserved the strip’s authenticity and made its conclusion feel honest and intentional rather than prolonged or diluted.

The impact of Peanuts extended far beyond the funny pages. Animated television specials such as A Charlie Brown Christmas and It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown became annual traditions. Snoopy emerged as a global icon, while Charlie Brown’s quiet perseverance and vulnerability offered readers comfort and reflection in an often chaotic world.

February 13, 2000, was not just the end of a comic strip—it was the closing of a shared daily ritual. Yet Peanuts did not truly disappear. Its wisdom, warmth, and gentle humor continue to live on through reruns, books, and the memories of readers who grew up alongside its characters. On that final Sunday, Schulz reminded the world that even the simplest drawings can leave a lasting legacy—and that saying goodbye can be an act of grace.

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