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Births on February 16

1904Feb, 16

James Baskett

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.

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Events on 1904

  • 17Jan

    The Cherry Orchard

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

    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.
  • 8Apr

    The Book of the Law

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

    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.
  • 16Nov

    Vacuum tube

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