He's Just Another Kid, Charlie Brown! NATIONAL FRANKLIN DAY IS JULY 31ST! On Friday, July 31, PEANUTS Celebrates the 47th Anniversary of “Franklin,” it’s First African-American Character! Please join us in celebrating the 47th anniversary of Peanuts first African-American character, “FRANKLIN,” on July 31! Harriet Glickman, a school teacher wrote a letter to the comic strip’s creator Charles M. Schulz following the death of Martin Luther King urging him that an African American character needed to be added to the popular comic strip. “Franklin Armstrong” was introduced on July 31, 1968, representing the importance of desegregation. “Franklin” Fun Facts · THE PEANUTS MOVIE is his first appearance on screen since 1999. · “Franklin” has been voiced by 19 actors throughout the years. He will be voiced by Mar Mar in THE PEANUTS MOVIE. · “Franklin” is an EXCELLENT dancer – he is shown breakdancing in several of the show’s specials. ·