The iconic Oscars red carpet didn’t always exist. The first Oscars red carpet was rolled out in 1961, but it wasn’t until 1964 that it started to show up on TV. That year, the show’s producers had the idea to start the show with some footage from the red carpet arrivals and in doing so launched a new tradition. Here’s a clip from the opening of the 1964 Oscars broadcast and the moment when the world got its first glimpse of our red carpet. | The Academy

"[Films have the power] to present painful but important issues to the public." At the 68th Academy Awards, Christopher Reeve made his first public appearance following the horse-riding accident that left him paralyzed, and the standing ovation he received couldn't have been more fitting for a superhero. He used his moment on stage to emphasize the power films have to enlighten, educate and challenge perceptions about important social issues. | The Academy

Twenty years later, this hits harder than ever. Sam Raimi’s SPIDER-MAN 2 (2004), starring Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst and Alfred Molina, was nominated at the 77th Academy Awards for Sound Editing, Sound Mixing and Visual Effects, and won for Visual Effects. | The Academy

Morgan Freeman winning an Oscar® for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in "Million Dollar Baby" - 77th Annual Academy Awards® in 2005. Presented by Renee Zellweger. | The Academy