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Garfield is a famous, fun-loving, fictional cat from the famous comic strip Garfield which was created by writer Jim Davies.

The character was named after Jim Davis’ grandfather, John Arbuckle and his lovable pet dog Odie. In the comic strip, a beagle named Odie makes a regular appearance as Garfield’s co-character.

Apparently, Odie (who has his own day in August) was originally owned by John’s roommate before John decided to adopt the cute canine as his own.

How to Celebrate Garfield The Cat Day

When celebrating Garfield the Cat day why not dress up as the cat himself? Organize a dress-up day at work where everybody has to come as a character from the well-known comic strip.

You could donate the money raised to a local charity and make it a real event! Alternatively, you could set up a local competition whereby youngsters test out their artistic skills by drawing a three-frame cartoon strip based on Garfield.

Another way to observe Garfield the Cat day is to enjoy watching the original movie while eating lasagna and drinking coffee! You could use a hashtag on social media to spread your love of Garfield the Cat throughout online platforms.

You could even treat yourself to some brand-new Garfield the cat merchandise such as a new notebook, pajamas or t-shirt.

All of these ideas are excellent ways to celebrate Garfield the cat. Spread the word to your family and friends if they aren’t already aware of this unique holiday. It may become a tradition that you never forget; Garfield the cat would be proud at the impact he has made on this day every single year!

Hopefully these fun and informative insights on Garfield the car has reignited your love for this plump, ginger feline.

You could use Garfield the cat day to reminisce on your favorite comic strips or watch the movie with your closest family and friends.

History of Garfield the Cat

Many people don’t know this, but the world-renowned comic strip featuring Garfield is set in Muncie, Indiana. Muncie, Indiana has a population of around 70,000, but the cat population of the city currently remains undiscovered (shall we try and find out?!).

Jim Davis is said to have taken all of the human faculties, that we do not like discussing and anthropomorphized them in our ginger friend. Seems like it was a good idea as Garfield the Cat is now well-recognized in households all over the world.

Garfield, the ginger-furred feline comes with an array of endearing and exciting qualities. His adventures are memorable and his distinctive personality makes him one of the most lovable furry friends in cartoon history.

You may not know some of the facts mentioned here; Garfield The Cat certainly has a whole lot of history!

So why is June 19 the day we celebrate Garfield the cat? Well, on this day, in 1978 the first publication of Garfield, which chronicles the life of the lead character was released.

Garfield The Cat Loves Food and Hates Mondays, But Who Doesn’t?!

Within the comic strips, some of the topical subjects focused on are obsessive eating, love for consuming food, and a distaste of Mondays (does anybody really enjoy Monday though?!). His absolute favorite food is lasagna and many people recognize this as his signature trait.

He also regularly expresses his hatred for going on diets and getting up early. He is well known for his lazy attitude and is also a self-confessed coffee addict! Food and laziness definitely make Garfield distinctive compared to other famous cartoon cats over the world.

Garfield doesn’t just love to eat food but he also has a handful of cookbooks too. One of the most popular Garfield recipe books is called “Garfield – Recipes with Cattitude.”

Some of the recipes in the book include lasagna (of course), pizza, meatball subs, potato salad, banana berry smoothie, the very best stuffing, smoky grilled corn, garlic oven friend, crispy bacon breadsticks and much more!

Which recipe would you choose to try out first if you got your hands on Garfield the Cat’s famous cookbook?

Garfield The Cat Holds a World Record and Is a Bestseller!

You can see publications of Garfield in nearly 3000 newspapers, magazines, and online journals. Garfield the cat also actually holds the Guinness world record for being the world’s most widely syndicated comic strip too, which is pretty impressive!

Garfield has also been translated into seven languages and is well-recognized across many countries all over the world. In Sweden, Garfield is officially called Gustav. Finland and Norway also switched up the fun-loving felines name to reflect the local values and knowledge.

The popular book “Garfield At Large” made the New York Times bestseller list for two years. This was a major accomplishment and milestone for Garfield the Cat.

The book was originally published by Ballantine Books in the United States in 1980. At one point there were seven on this list at the same time, which meant that the way the list was done had to be changed.

Publishing houses were sending in complaints as other authors couldn’t get on the list due to Garfield the cat!

National Garfield the Cat Day FAQs

Did you know Garfield holds a Guinness World Record?

Yes, Garfield is recognized as the world’s most widely syndicated comic strip, appearing in over 2,100 newspapers globally.

Why is Garfield called ‘Gustav’ in Sweden?

In Sweden, Garfield is known as ‘Gustav.’ This name change aligns with local naming conventions, making the character more relatable to Swedish audiences.

How did Garfield’s love for lasagna originate?

Garfield’s creator, Jim Davis, gave him a love for lasagna to mirror human indulgence in comfort food, enhancing his relatable, human-like traits.

What inspired Jim Davis to create Garfield?

Jim Davis created Garfield to focus on a cat character, inspired by his experiences growing up on a farm with numerous cats.

How has Garfield influenced global pop culture?

Garfield’s sarcastic humor and distinctive personality have inspired merchandise, TV shows, movies, and even themed restaurants worldwide, cementing his status as a pop culture icon.

Are there any myths about Garfield’s character?

A common misconception is that Garfield is a specific breed; however, he is a generic orange tabby cat, representing the typical housecat.

How do fans celebrate Garfield the Cat Day?

Fans celebrate by indulging in lasagna, sharing favorite comic strips, watching Garfield movies, and even hosting themed parties to honor the beloved feline.

What is the significance of June 19th for Garfield?

June 19th marks the debut of the first Garfield comic strip in 1978, making it both Garfield’s birthday and the reason for celebrating Garfield the Cat Day.

Has Garfield’s appearance changed over time?

Yes, Garfield’s design has evolved from a more robust, four-legged cat to a slimmer, bipedal character, adapting to various media formats and audience preferences.

Did Garfield inspire any real-life establishments?

Garfield’s popularity led to the creation of themed restaurants and cafes, where fans can enjoy lasagna and other favorites in a Garfield-inspired setting.

Need some inspiration?

Check out these videos for some extra inspiration in getting involved!

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