Charlie Brown cartoons leaped from the newspaper comic strips to animated TV specials in 1965. Since then, the "Peanuts" gang, created by Charles M. Schulz, has endeared themselves to fans around the world. From that first Christmas special, to "The Peanuts Movie", here's your quick reference guide to Charlie Brown cartoons.

"A Charlie Brown Christmas" A Charlie Brown Christmas / ABC "A Charlie Brown Christmas" was the very first cartoon ever created that was based on Charles M. Schulz's "Peanuts" comic strip. It was conceived as a half-hour long special that was sponsored by Coca-Cola, and only Coca-Cola. Charles M. Schulz and Bill Melendez worked together with the company to create a special that would please all parties.

"It's the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown" ABC / United Feature Syndicate Only Snoopy would be the kind of Easter Beagle that would swipe someone else's Easter eggs and pass them off as his own. But that's the fun behind this spring-time cartoon special. We also get to see the friendship between Peppermint Patty and Marcie tested when they try to color their own eggs.

"A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" United Feature Syndicate Inc. "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" may not be as beloved as the Halloween and Christmas specials, but it's just as endearing and funny. Poor ol' Chuck gets roped into hosting Thanksgiving for his friends, but he is woefully unprepared. It doesn't help that Snoopy and Woodstock are his star chefs.

"I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown" I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown! / ABC "I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown!" centers on ReRun, the lovable but ever-skeptical younger brother of Linus and Lucy. ReRun wants a dog and asks Snoopy to invite his canine brother Spike for a visit. When Spike shows up, it looks like ReRun will have a dog for Christmas after all, but then the real trouble begins. "I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown!" was produced by Lee Mendelson and Bill Melendez, who produced "A Charlie Brown Christmas", so this cartoon has that same heartfelt message and wonderful storytelling.

"Happy New Year, Charlie Brown" Happy New Year, Charlie Brown. ABC In "Happy New Year, Charlie Brown", the Peanuts gang ring in 1986 and Marcie and Peppermint Patty throw a big New Year’s Eve bash. Charlie Brown plans to celebrate the holiday by curling up with a big book that weighs nearly as much as he does, Tolstoy’s "War and Peace". The book’s weight doesn’t stop him from lugging it to Lucy’s pre-party dance class, where he cuts a mean rug with a rollicking Patty. With just 1131 pages to go, Charlie Brown takes another break, this time for the party, and summons the courage to invite his true love, the little red-haired girl. She doesn’t respond, but hapless Chuck shows up anyway — with Tolstoy in tow. Then, he settles down with the book — on a porch swing in a snowstorm, and in so doing, misses the evening’s big surprise. In "She’s a Good Skate, Charlie Brown", which is usually paired with the Charlie Brown New Year's special, disaster strikes as Peppermint Patty heads to her first major ice-skating competition with coach Snoopy and faithful companion Marcie by her side. As always, the unassuming Woodstock flies in to save the day.

"Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown" ABC "Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown" first aired in 1975. Charlie Brown spends his time waiting for his Valentines to arrive, while Linus learns a lesson in unrequited love for his teacher. Poor Linus. "You're in Love, Charlie Brown", from 1967, features the debut of Peppermint Patty. She's working on Chuck's baseball problems while he is falling in love with the little red-haired girl. Finally, Charlie Brown has to conquer his fears in 1977's "It's Your First Kiss, Charlie Brown". Not only is he the kicker for the annual homecoming game, but also he's been chosen to escort Heather, the little red-haired girl, to the dance. Then he must give her the "traditional kiss." (We'd like to see that fly in today's elementary schools!).

'Happiness Is a Warm Blanket, Charlie Brown' FOX In "Happiness Is a Warm Blanket, Charlie Brown", the Peanuts gang is back and ready to help Linus break away from his childhood security blanket. His grandmother is coming to visit and he must decide whether or not to dispose of his most cherished possession. This animated special doesn't quite capture the heartfelt simplicity of the original cartoons. The premise is simple: Linus's friends try to help him ditch the blanket habit. The story should invoke memories of childhood, without pulling in easy jokes about contemporary culture or cheesy settings (like in "It's Flashbeagle, Charlie Brown").

'The Charlie Brown and Snoopy Show: The Complete Series' Warner Bros. "The Charlie Brown and Snoopy Show" had direct input from Charles Schulz, so it retains the dry, sweet sense of humor the original comic strip had. Each episode is based on a specific strip, so long-time fans may recognize some of the plots and situations. This animated series is often forgotten, but it's worth watching.