May 16th: On This Day in 1929 - First Academy Awards
May 16, 1929: The first Academy Awards of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Awards were handed out at a banquet held at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel to honor outstanding film achievements of 1927 and 1928. Less than 300 people were in attendance.
It seems that there are many explanations for the root of the name Oscar. Bette Davis claims that she named the Oscar after her first husband, Harmon Oscar Nelson; and TIME Magazine mentions the term in an article about Davis' receipt of the award in 1936. Walt Disney also thanked the Academy for his Oscar in 1932. Another claim is that of the Academy's Executive Secretary, Margaret Herrick thought that the statue looked like her cousin, Oscar Pierce. The trophy was officially dubbed the "Oscar" in 1939 by the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences.
As of the 2009 ceremony (the 81st Academy Awards), a total of 2,744 Oscars have been given for 1,798 awards.
Saturday, May 16, 2009 at 9:21AM
Reader Comments (1)
Ooooooooooooh, I admit it - I love them SO!!! I live for music, writing, and sushi - but I DO like my movies!!! This is a great article!