On August 25, 1939, The Wizard of Oz, which became one
of the best-loved movies in history, opened in theaters
around the United States.

Nominated for an Academy Award in the Best Picture
category, The Wizard of Oz lost to the Civil War–era
epic Gone With the Wind. The Wizard of Oz won a
Best Song Oscar for “Over the Rainbow,” which
became one of Garland’s signature hits. Garland
won a special award at that year’s Oscar ceremony,
for Best Juvenile Performer.