Births on February 16

James Baskett

Born on February 16, 1904

James Baskett, African-American actor and singer (d. 1948)

James Franklin Baskett (February 16, 1904 – July 9, 1948) was an American actor who portrayed Uncle Remus, singing the song "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah" in the 1946 Disney feature film Song of the South.

In recognition of his portrayal of the famous black storyteller, he was given an Honorary Academy Award, making him the first black male performer to receive an Oscar. Due to institutional racism within Hollywood, Baskett was not considered for a competitive Academy Award for Best Actor or Best Supporting Actor despite his leading role.

References

James Baskett

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Events on 1904

17 Jan

The Cherry Orchard
Anton Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard receives its premiere performance at the Moscow Art Theatre.
3 Mar

Thomas Edison
Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany becomes the first person to make a sound recording of a political document, using Thomas Edison's phonograph cylinder.
8 Apr

The Book of the Law
British mystic Aleister Crowley transcribes the first chapter of The Book of the Law.
5 May

Cy Young
Pitching against the Philadelphia Athletics at the Huntington Avenue Grounds, Cy Young of the Boston Americans throws the first perfect game in the modern era of baseball.
16 Nov

Vacuum tube
English engineer John Ambrose Fleming receives a patent for the thermionic valve (vacuum tube).

Births on February 16

James Baskett

Born on February 16, 1904

References

Choose Another Date

Events on 1904

The Cherry Orchard

Thomas Edison

The Book of the Law

Cy Young

Vacuum tube