Day Tripping: May 16

Statues, Statutes, and Status

Debut Ceremony

Idolized movie star Douglas Fairbanks Sr. took the stage at Hollywood’s Blossom Room at the Roosevelt Hotel to host the inaugural Academy Awards ceremony in 1929. Nominees from the first year of the Oscars were all silent pictures, even though The Jazz Singer had introduced ‘talkies’ earlier. Committee members felt the film would have an unfair advantage so it was eliminated from the competition.

Among the honourees that year was Jayne Gaynor who was nominated for three of the five films in the Best Actress category. She was given the Oscar for all three performances, the last time this was ever done. The private dinner party for 270 guests was not broadcast by any electronic media of the time.

Director William Wellman was given the Best Picture award for Wings, and Charlie Chaplin was presented with an honorary award. It would be the great filmmaker’s last until Chaplin was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 1971.

A New Philosophy

In the wake of three years of famine in China, the Communist Party of China leader, Mao Zedong issued the May 16 Notice in 1966, which ushered in the era of the Cultural Revolution. Chairman Mao’s doctrine was directed mainly to call out his perceived enemies within the Communist Party and to forward an agenda of cleansing the nation from capitalist ideals.

Mao rallied Chinese youth with rhetoric to insight action, saying “to rebel is justified” against the bourgeoisie that had infiltrated the government. His Little Red Book became a defacto bible for the revolution to return to communism.

First Appearance

Around eight hundred people gathered in a United States joint congress session to hear a speech delivered by Queen Elizabeth II. The occasion marked the first time in history, a reigning British monarch addressed the house. Her Majesty charmed the crowd with self-deprecating humour and praise for the United States military during the recent Persian Gulf War. She received three standing ovations and several rounds of applause during a fifteen-minute speech.

Musical Milestones

The Beach Boys made a sudden sharp turn musically when they released the Pet Sounds album in 1966. The brainchild of bass player Brian Wilson is recognized as revolutionary in modern music history. This original concept piece was a major influence on the members of the Beatles.

Narratives

Irving Berlin’s musical based on the life of 19th-century sharpshooter Annie Oakley starring Ethel Merman opened at the Imperial Theater in New York. Annie Get Your Gun. The original book was written by Dorothy and Herbert Fields.

Remembrance

Few people in history endured as much to bring much joy and entertainment to so many people. Sammy Davis Jr. was one of those rare talents who did it all. He passed away from throat cancer at 64 in 1990.

Notable Births

1905 — Henry Fonda starred in too many landmark films to mention.

1919 — Flambuoyence and grandeur combined with refined musical talent made Liberace an unforgettable figure in entertainment.

1946 — The genius of Robert Fripp gave music the evolution of progressive rock with King Crimson.

K. Barrett Katie Wallace Maria Rattray Maryam Merchant Dr Mehmet Yildiz Tree Langdon Myriam Ben Salem Phil Truman Chelsea Mandler MAT Terry Mansfield Hollie Petit, PhD. Terry Trueman Dr Preeti Singh John Gruber Bill Abbate James G Brennan ScienceDuuude Marcus Liam Ireland Claire Kelly Noorain Hassan, BMS Amy Pierovich David Acaster Nora Thewriteyard David Perlmutter Joe Luca Noah Levy

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