The Academy Awards began in 1929, with winners’ names printed in a bulletin. The Lincoln County War began in 1878 over control of beef markets. Pluto was discovered in 1930, and the first cow flew by plane. The White Rose Party was arrested in 1943, and snow fell in the Sahara in 1979. The Church of Scientology opened in 1954, and “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” was released in 1885. The Know-Nothings met in 1856, and Toni Morrison was born in 1931.
The first Academy Awards announced. (1929) Prizes were not awarded in a lavish ceremony – rather, the winners’ names were printed on the back of the academy bulletin. Among the early winners were Janet Gaynor and Emil Jannings for Best Actress and Actor, with Wings, a World War I drama, winning Best Picture.
The Lincoln County War began. (1878) One of the longest and bloodiest feuds in the American Old West. The fight ensued over who would control the beef markets in the area, which came with hugely lucrative government contracts. Prominent outlaw Billy the Kid later became involved in the war, which lasted until 1884.
Pluto has been discovered. (1930) Clyde Tombaugh discovered the dwarf planet by studying photos of the night sky in which astronomers predicted a “Planet X” would appear. He also discovered more than 800 asteroids during his search for “Planet X”.
The first cow flew by plane. (1930) Elm Farm Ollie became the first flying cow on this day when she took off on an airplane as part of the International Air Exposition. Her trip was both a publicity stunt and an experiment to see the effects of air travel on animals. She was also the first cow milked in flight.
Members of the White Rose Party have been arrested. (1943) The White Rose Party was a major resistance force in Nazi Germany during the early years of the war and was known for its anonymous leaflet campaigns. The six party leaders were arrested by the Gestapo on this day and then executed.
Snow has fallen in the Sahara. (1979) The snowstorm took place in southern Algeria and lasted only about 30 minutes. It was the first time in recorded history that snow fell in the Sahara.
First Church of Scientology inaugurates. (1954) The belief system was founded the year before by L. Ron Hubbard in New Jersey, although the first church dedicated to Scientology opened on this day in Los Angeles. The church is known for its many famous followers.
“The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” has been released. (1885) While widely considered an iconic work of Americana, it is also one of the most banned books of all time. Many libraries and schools banned it for its depiction of the relationship between Jim, a slave, and Huck, a free boy, and the English pidgin in which Twain writes Jim’s dialogue.
The Nowhere Party met in Philadelphia. (1856) The Know-Nothings were a nativist political party that was staunchly against uncontrolled immigration and embraced temperance. They are best known for being US President Millard Fillmore’s party following his term.
Toni Morrison is born. (1931) Morrison, Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winner, is a novelist whose works have focused on epic and broad themes. She was a major force in the development of African American literature in America, and is best known for Beloved and Song of Solomon.
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