Hattie McDaniel wins her Oscar (1940)

“This is one of the happiest moments of my life,” says Hattie McDaniel on winning her Academy Award for best supporting actress for Gone with the Wind (1939), becoming the first African American to ever win an Oscar. “I sincerely hope I shall always be a credit to my race and to the motion picture industry. My heart is too full to tell you just how I feel, and may I say thank you and God bless you.” McDaniel plays the part of Scarlett O’Hara’s maid, Mammy.

Courtesy of AMPAS.