In 1754, the first American newspaper cartoon was published in the "Pennsylvania Gazette."
The paper began in 1728 and was notably sold to Benjamin Franklin in 1729. Franklin and his partner, Hugh Meredith, changed the name to "The Gazette". The paper became the most read in the colonies.
Ben Franklin is credited with creating the "Join, or Die" snake cartoon, though he may have had others do the original sketch. It represents 8 colonies all divided into sections. The snake cartoon was later used to urge colonies to unite.