Oscars 2025: A historical recap of the Academy Awards

The Academy Awards, commonly known as the Oscars, have been the pinnacle of film industry recognition for nearly a century. Established by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), the Oscars celebrate outstanding achievements in filmmaking, setting records and breaking barriers along the way. Here’s a detailed look at some of the most significant milestones in the history of the Academy Awards.

1. The beginning of the Oscars

The first Academy Awards ceremony took place on May 16, 1929, at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles. The event was a private dinner attended by 270 guests, with winners already announced three months earlier. The ceremony lasted only 15 minutes, and Douglas Fairbanks, then-president of the Academy, served as the host. Unlike today’s grand productions, there was no live broadcast, and only 12 categories were awarded.

2. How the name ‘Oscar’ came to be

The golden statuette given to winners was not originally called an Oscar. Several theories surround the origin of the name, but the most popular claim is that Academy librarian Margaret Herrick remarked that the statuette resembled her Uncle Oscar. In 1934, columnist Sidney Skolsky used the name in a piece about Katharine Hepburn’s Best Actress win. The Academy officially adopted the name “Oscar” in 1939.

3. The first female host

The Oscars remained a male-dominated hosting event for decades until 1948 when Agnes Moorehead co-hosted the ceremony, becoming the first woman to do so. However, Whoopi Goldberg made history in 1994 as the first woman to host the Oscars solo. She was also the first African American to take on the role, bringing charisma, humor, and inclusivity to the prestigious event.

4. Hattie McDaniel’s historic win

In 1940, Hattie McDaniel shattered racial barriers by becoming the first Black person to win an Academy Award. She won Best Supporting Actress for her role as Mammy in Gone with the Wind. Despite her historic achievement, segregation was still prevalent, and she had to sit at a separate table away from her white co-stars at the ceremony.

5. Luise Rainer’s consecutive wins

Luise Rainer was the first actor to win two Oscars and the first to win them consecutively. She won Best Actress for The Great Ziegfeld (1936) and The Good Earth (1937), setting a precedent for future acting legends. Her success proved that consistency and excellence could be rewarded in back-to-back years.

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6. The first postponed Oscars

The 10th Academy Awards, originally scheduled for March 3, 1938, were postponed due to devastating floods in Los Angeles. This marked the first time the event had to be rescheduled. Over the years, the Oscars have faced postponements due to events like World War II and the COVID-19 pandemic.

7. Sidney Poitier breaks barriers

In 1964, Sidney Poitier became the first Black man to win Best Actor for his role in Lilies of the Field. His win was a monumental step toward diversity and representation in Hollywood. Poitier’s career paved the way for other Black actors to receive recognition at the Academy Awards.

8. The only X-Rated Best Picture winner

In 1970, Midnight Cowboy made history as the only X-rated film to win Best Picture. The film’s gritty, mature themes pushed the boundaries of Hollywood’s storytelling. Despite its controversial rating, the Academy recognised its artistic merit, proving that bold storytelling had a place at the Oscars.

9. Billie Eilish’s record-breaking wins

In 2024, Billie Eilish became the youngest person to win two Oscars in any category. At just 22 years old, she won her second Academy Award for Best Original Song with What Was I Made For? from the movie Barbie, breaking an 87-year-old record. Her success highlights the growing influence of young artists in the film and music industries.

10. Michelle Yeoh’s groundbreaking victory

Michelle Yeoh made history at the 95th Academy Awards in 2023 by becoming the first Asian woman to win Best Actress. She won for her performance in Everything Everywhere All at Once, proving that representation and diversity in Hollywood continue to evolve. Her victory was celebrated worldwide as a step forward for Asian actors in Western cinema.

The Oscars have come a long way from their humble beginnings in 1929. Over the years, the awards have reflected societal changes, broken records, and given underrepresented voices a platform. This night, the world is earnestly waiting to see groundbreaking and historical wins for all nominees at the Oscars 2025.