The book that commemorates Charles Schulz's 50-year career.

Party Plans

United Media officially launched the year-long "Peanuts" 50th anniversary celebration with a new Snoopy balloon in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Some of the other events include:

• Exhibitions of "Peanuts" artwork will be taking place in 10 Japanese cities; Angeloume, France; Boca Raton, Fla.; Brussels; Greece; and Columbus, Ohio, at the Cartoon Research Library at Ohio State University.

• A daily birthday party at Camp Snoopy Parks at Knotts Berry Farm in Buena Park, Calif.; Mall of America in Minneapolis, Minn; and summer promotions at amusement parks in Pennsylvania and Ohio.

• Two anniversary cruises - one to the Caribbean and another to Alaska.

• Revival of the musical "Snoopy!" in Japan.

• Special "Peanuts" promotions and products will be launched at Wendy's restaurants nationwide and McDonald's restaurants in Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America, the Middle East and Europe.

• With more than 25,000 new "Peanuts" products a year from more than 650 licensees worldwide, the 50th anniversary will be celebrated with commemorative products and packaging.

• The "Peanuts" Web site (www.snoopy.com) has a new home page and a new page devoted to anniversary activities.

• Newspaper promotions will feature vintage strips and contests.

• Publication of a commemorative book and a new direct-to-video release by Paramount Home Video.

• A new televised tribute to Charles Schulz for broadcast on CBS.

Milestones

• Oct. 2, 1950 - "Peanuts" daily strip debuts in seven newspapers.

• 1955 - Charles Schulz receives National Cartoonists Society (NCS) Reuben Award.

• 1958 - Yale University names Schulz Cartoonist of the Year.

• 1960 - Schulz receives School Bell Award from National Education Society. Hallmark introduces series of "Peanuts" greeting cards.

• 1962 - First "Peanuts" book, "Happiness is a Warm Puppy," published by Determined Publications. NCS bestows Best Humor Strip award on "Peanuts."

• 1964 - Schulz receives second Reuben from NCS.

• 1965 - "A Charlie Brown Christmas" television special wins first of dozens of Emmy and Peabody awards.

• 1967 - "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown" opens off-Broadway and runs for four years.

• 1969 - Snoopy and Charlie Brown accompany astronauts into space aboard Apollo X.

• 1973 - U.S. government uses Snoopy as energy conservation symbol.

• 1978 - International Pavilion of Humor, Montreal, names Schulz Cartoonist of the Year.

• 1984 - Strip sold to 2,000th newspaper and recorded by Guinness Book of World Records.

• 1990 - French Ministry of Culture honors Schulz. In Paris, The Louvre presents the Snoopy in Fashion exhibit.

• 1996 - Star is placed on Hollywood's Walk of Fame in honor of Schulz.

• 1997 - World premiere at Carnegie Hall of Peanuts Gallery.

• 1999 - "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" opens new production on Broadway.