1929
The first Awards ceremony is held by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Tickets to the black-tie event at Los Angeles’ Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel cost just $5 apiece (around $75 today).
1939
The Academy officially adopts the nickname “Oscar” for its iconic golden statuettes. It’s believed the moniker was coined by the Academy librarian who said the statue resembled her Uncle Oscar.
1943
Best Actress winner Greer Garson gives the Oscar’s longest-ever acceptance speech, which clocks in at 5 minutes and 30 seconds.
1950
It is decreed that all Oscar winners cannot sell their statuettes without first offering it back to the Academy for the sum of $1.
1970
Midnight Cowboy wins Best Picture, making it the only X-rated film to do so in the history of the awards.
2010
Kathryn Bigelow is the first ever female to win the award for Best Director, with The Hurt Locker. She remains the only woman to have snagged the honour.
2017
Sound engineer Kevin O’Connell finally wins the award for Best Sound Mixing for Hacksaw Ridge. Previously, he had held the record for the most Oscar nominations (20) without a win.
SEE ALSO: By the numbers: A timeline of the Grammy Awards
This article was originally published in the February 2020 issue of SilverKris magazine
