B H This Day in Black History

February 20

← February 19 February 21 →
February 20, 1927

Sidney Poitier Born

Sidney Poitier was born on February 20, 1927, in Miami, Florida, and raised in the Bahamas. He became the first African American to win the Academy Award for Best Actor for "Lilies of the Field" in 1964, breaking racial barriers in Hollywood.

filmactingoscarhollywood
People: Sidney Poitier
Sources
1. Sidney Poitier - Biography - American Film Institute2. Sidney Poitier - Biography - Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Share this moment in history

Share on X Facebook
Link copied!

You might also like

April 13, 1964
Sidney Poitier Wins Academy Award
Sidney Poitier became the first Black actor to win the Academy Award for Best Actor, for his role in Lilies of the Field.
artscivil-rights
March 11, 1959
Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun Opens
Lorraine Hansberry's "A Raisin in the Sun" became the first play by an African American woman to be produced on Broadway.
arts
April 13, 1964
Sidney Poitier Wins Best Actor Oscar
Sidney Poitier became the first African American to win the Academy Award for Best Actor, for "Lilies of the Field."
arts
March 20, 1957
Spike Lee Born
Filmmaker Spike Lee, a groundbreaking voice in Black cinema, was born in Atlanta.
filmartscinema
Enjoy learning about Black history?
Subscribe for a new moment delivered to your inbox every day.
Unsubscribe anytime · No spam
Before you go...

Get a powerful moment in Black history delivered to your inbox every morning. Free, 30-second read.

Free · Unsubscribe anytime