Animated cartoons for their origins from their appearance in newspapers during a time period before the 20th century. With the advent of television and networks such as CBS and NBC, cartoons evolved onto television. During the 1930's and 1940's, with more Americans purchasing TVs, cartoons really became a fixture as programs on TV. Throughout the history of animated cartoons on television, they have mainly aired during weekday afternoons or Saturday mornings, after children have returned home from school. Only two animated programs have lasted more than two seasons while being aired in primetime, they are The Simpsons and The Flinstones.http://www.museum.tv/eotvsection.php?entrycode=cartoons

During the first week of December in 2010, many people began to feature pictures of classic cartoon characters on their Facebook profiles. The trend was started by the Campaign to End Violence Against Children. The goal of the group was to get everyone on Facebook to change their profile picture to a cartoon character to support abused children everywhere. The campaign continued until Decmeber 6, 2010.http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2010/12/trend-watch-why-your-facebook-friends-have-cartoon-profile-pictures/67520/

• 1930: Two popular cartoon series, Looney Toons and Betty Boop make their premieres.

• 1933: The first ever episode of Popeye the Sailor debuts as a short film in theaters.

• 1936: Felix the Cat premieres for the first time.http://digitalarts.bgsu.edu/faculty/bonniem/Summer04/artc400_9/1930-1939.html

• 1940: Fantasia is released by Disney to theaters.

• 1942: The Disney animated film Bambi premieres in theaters for the first time.http://digitalarts.bgsu.edu/faculty/bonniem/Summer04/artc400_9/1940-1949.html

• 1955: The cartoon Speedy Gonzales makes its television debut.

• 1955: Disney releases a new full length animated film named Lady and the Tramp

• 1956: Felix the Cat returns the television with all new episodes.http://digitalarts.bgsu.edu/faculty/bonniem/Summer04/artc400_9/1950-1959.html

• 1960: The Flintstones produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions debuts on the ABC Network.

• 1962: The Jetson's produced by Hanna-Barbera Production debuts on the ABC Network.

• 1967: George of the Jungle by Jay Ward debuts on ABC.

• 1967: Speed Racer which is an American version of the Japanese Manga cartoon originally titled Mach Go Go Go is aired by American syndicator Trans-Lux. It ran for two years with 52 episodes.http://www.brianlemay.com/History/timeline1961-1970.html

• 1971: The Jackson 5ive Saturday morning cartoon show debuted on the ABC television network.

• 1972: Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids debuts on CBS. Bill Cosby not only created and produced the show, but used his voice on multiple characters.http://www.brianlemay.com/History/timeline1971-1980.html

• 1981: The Smurfs produced by Hanna-Barbera debut on NBC. They were originally based on a Belgian comic series.

• 1985: Marvel Productions released the G.I. Joe Caroon in full syndication based off the success of the Hasbro toys that bared the same name.

• 1987: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles began as a five part animated series and later on October 1, 1988 became a CBS Saturday morning cartoon.

• 1989: The Simpsons debut on the Fox Network with the episode titled Simpsons Roasting on an Open Firehttp://www.brianlemay.com/History/timeline1981-1990.html

• 1992: Batman: The Animated Series premieres on television for the first time. The show was a darker, more realistic take on the world of Batman.

• 1993: Animaniacs, a cartoon produced by Steven Spielberg, premieres on television.

• 1995: Toy Story is released into theaters, it is the first full length feature film made completely with computer animation. It was released by Disney.http://www.twyman-whitney.com/film/genre/anitimeline.html

• 2000: Disney releases the animated feature film The Emperor's New Groovehttp://www.brianlemay.com/History/timeline1991-2000.html

• 2001: Computer animation continues to progress as Disney releases the feature film Monsters Inc

• 2003: Finding Nemo is released to theaters by Disney.http://digitalarts.bgsu.edu/faculty/bonniem/Summer04/artc400_9/2000-2009.html