VOICE ONE:
In nineteen forty-seven, a newspaper in Saint Paul, Minnesota, began publishing a comic written and drawn by Charles Schulz. It was called "L'il Folks." It showed a little boy with a round face named Charlie Brown. The newspaper published the single drawing once each week.
But it refused to use it every day, as Mister Schulz had hoped. So he began creating a comic strip of several drawings for a media company, United Feature Syndicate. It sold the strip to newspapers around the country to be published every day. The media company changed the name of the strip to "Peanuts."
VOICE TWO:
Over the years Mister Schulz drew about eighteen thousand comic strips. He did it without any help. This is very unusual for a comic strip artist. Most have people who help them draw the strips. Charles Schulz also wrote the stories for the television and film productions of "Peanuts." There have been more than fifty animated television shows based on "Peanuts." Charles Schulz's comic strip created a whole industry. There are "Peanuts" toys, videos, clothes and greeting cards. A number of parks in the United States and in Asia use "Peanuts" characters.
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VOICE ONE:
In two thousand two, a new museum opened in Santa Rosa, California. It celebrates the life and work of the creator of "Peanuts." Charles Schulz agreed to the idea of a museum before he died.
It provides a place where people can see the first drawings of all his comic strips and learn about his work. The museum also shows works by other artists that honor "Peanuts."
VOICE TWO:
The museum was built very near the place where Charles Schulz wrote and drew "Peanuts." One area of the museum re-creates the room where Charles Schulz drew his cartoons. Another area shows things from his childhood and awards he received. His wife Jean said she wanted the museum to show not only his work, but also how he lived. Missus Schulz said she wants visitors to feel as if they are taking part in his daily life.
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VOICE ONE:
This program was written by Jerilyn Watson. It was produced by Lawan Davis. I'm Barbara Klein.
VOICE TWO:
And I'm Steve Ember. Join us again next week for People in America in VOA Special English.