On This Day, 2-29-08: Gone With the Wind

1940: Gone with the Wind sweeps Oscars

Regarded as the most popular movie of all time, Gone with the Wind is honored with eight Oscars by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on this day. An epic romance set during the hard times faced by the South after the American Civil War, the movie swept the prestigious Best Picture, Director, Screenplay, Cinematography, Art Direction, Film Editing, and Actress categories.

However, the most momentous award that night undoubtedly went to Hattie McDaniel for her portrayal of Mammy, a former slave. McDaniel, who won the Best Supporting Actress Academy Award, was the first African-American actress or actor ever to be honored with an Oscar. http://www.thehistorychannel.co.uk/site/this_day_in_history/this_day_February_29.php

1288 – Scotland established this day as one when a woman could propose marriage to a man. In the event that he refused the proposal he was required to pay a fine.

1860 – The first electric tabulating machine was invented by Herman Hollerith.

1904 – In Washington, DC, a seven-man commission was created to hasten the construction of the Panama Canal.

1944 – The invasion of the Admiralty Islands began with “Operation Brewer.” U.S. General Douglas MacArthur led his forces onto Los Negros.

1944 – Dorothy McElroy Vredenburgh of Alabama became the first woman to be appointed secretary of a national political party. She was appointed to the Democratic National Committee.

1944 – The Office of Defense Transportation, for the second year in a row, restricted attendance at the Kentucky Derby to residents of the Louisville area. This was an effort to prevent a railroad traffic burden during wartime.

1960 – American entrepreneur Hugh Heffner opens his first ‘Playboy Club’ in Chicago.

1980 – Buddy Holly’s glasses and the Big Bopper’s wristwatch were found in old police files by the Mason City Sheriff. The items were worn by the men when their plane crashed on February 3, 1959.