Sydney Poitier won the Best Actor Oscar in 1964, the two dollar bill was reintroduced in 1976, and the first elephant arrived in America in 1796. The MKULTRA project began in 1953, The Messiah premiered in 1742, and a hailstorm killed British troops in France in 1360. The Metropolitan Museum of Art was established in 1870, JC Penney opened his first store in 1902, the Jefferson Memorial was dedicated in 1943, and Tiger Woods won his first Masters tournament in 1997.
Sydney Poitier became the first African American to win the Academy Award for Best Actor. (1964) Poitier won the prize for lilies of the field. At the time he was only the second African-American actor to win an Oscar, the first being Hattie McDaniel, the Best Supporting Actress winner for Gone with the Wind.
The two dollar bill was reintroduced in America. (1976) The rare bill had been discontinued in 1966, but was reintroduced as part of America’s Bicentennial celebrations. While some businesses do not accept two-dollar bills, they are legal tender and can also be purchased in large, uncut sheets.
The first elephant arrived in America. (1796) The elephant, called Old Bet, was brought back from India to America by a sea captain who hoped to sell her. Old Bet was eventually bought by Hackaliah Bailey, one of the founders of Barnum and Bailey, and remained with the circus until she was shot and killed by a boy who had heard her hide was bulletproof and wanted to see if it was true.
The MKULTRA project begins. (1953) MKULTRA was a secret CIA program that used human subjects to research the best ways to manipulate mental states. Many of the experiments in the program centered on LSD and its effects on the brain.
The Messiah had his debut. (1742) The now famous oratorio premiered on this day in Dublin, Ireland. Although now a classic Christmas show, it was originally meant to be played during Lent to remind people of their faith.
Massive hailstorm killed British troops in France. (1360) A massive hailstorm killed over 1,000 British soldiers fighting in the Hundred Years War in France. The hailstorm was seen as a divine sign and the King of England negotiated with peace for France.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art established. (1870) The museum opened two years later and has since housed works by Van Gogh, Vermeer and Monet, as well as a substantial collection of ancient Egyptian art.
JC Penney opened his first store. (1902) The store was named the Golden Rule, and was the first in Penney’s empire of department stores.
The Jefferson Memorial has been dedicated. (1943) The monument was dedicated exactly 200 years to the day after Jefferson’s birth, and remains a popular tourist destination in Washington DC
Tiger Woods won his first Masters tournament. (1997) He became an instant golf star and won eight PGA tournaments and all four major golf tournaments.
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