2002: Halle Berry becomes the first black actress to win Best Actress
In 73 years, a black actress had never won Best Actress at the Academy Awards, but that all changed in year 74 when Halle Berry won for Monster’s Ball. She immediately broke down in tears and received a standing ovation before saying how much bigger this moment was than her. As of last year, she is still the only black woman to win this award but Viola Davis or Andra Day could change that this year.
