Today in History

May 16, 1929

The First Academy Awards

On Tuesday, May 16th, 1929, Hollywood celebrated the first Academy Awards ceremony at the Hotel Roosevelt in Hollywood. Actor Douglas Fairbanks and director William C. DeMille hosted the event. Unlike today's ceremony, the first winners of the awards had been announced three month's prior to the event. The Academy Award of Merit, the official name of the "Oscar" award, was handed out and was nearly identical to the award statue used today. Emil Jannings, the winner for best actor, did not even attend the dinner. Best Picture went to Wings, and Best Actress to Janet Gaynor for her role in Seventh Heaven.

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