By: HISTORY.com Editors

1960

First star laid on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Published: November 13, 2009Last Updated: May 27, 2025

On March 28, 1960, the first permanent star is laid in the Hollywood Walk of Fame, at the intersection of Hollywood and Gower. It honors film producer and director Stanley Kramer.

Kramer initially earned his reputation producing films like High Noon and The Caine Mutiny, and for helping to launch Marlon Brando's career. He later became known for socially conscious "message" movies like Inherit the Wind, Judgment at Nuremberg and Guess Who's Coming to Dinner.

Actress Joanne Woodward is often cited as the first star recipient on the Hollywood Walk. But hers was actually one of a set of eight prototypes initially placed in August 1958—before official construction began—to help drum up excitement for the project. The other seven prototype stars honored actors Olive Borden, Ronald Colman, Louise Fazenda, Preston Foster, Burt Lancaster, Edward Sedgwick and Ernest Torrence.

After ground was broken on the now-famous walk in early February 1960, construction continued for the next 16 months. By the time it was over, more than 1,500 actors, musicians and filmmakers had received stars. Today, the Walk of Fame lines both sides of Hollywood Boulevard from Gower to La Brea, and both sides of Vine Street, from Yucca to Sunset.

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce manages the walkway, which became an official landmark in 1978. New stars are added at a regular rate, currently numbering more than 2,700.

Hollywood

By: HISTORY.com Editors

Timeline

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1834

Congress censures President Jackson

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1862

Union forces halt Confederates at Battle of Glorieta Pass

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1915

First American citizen killed during WWI

On March 28, 1915, the first American citizen is killed in the eight-month-old European conflict that would become known as the First World War. Leon Thrasher, a 31-year-old mining engineer and native of Massachusetts, drowned when a German submarine, the U-28, torpedoed the cargo-passenger ship Falaba, on its way from Liverpool to West Africa, off […]

1939

Spanish Civil War ends

In Spain, the Republican defenders of Madrid raise the white flag over the city, bringing Francisco Franco to power and ending the fighting of the bloody three-year Spanish Civil War.

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1958

W.C. Handy—the “Father of the Blues”—dies

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1969

President Eisenhower dies

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1979

Nuclear disaster at Three Mile Island

The worst accident in the history of the U.S. nuclear power industry begins when a pressure valve in the Unit-2 reactor at Three Mile Island fails to close.

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1984

Baltimore Colts move to Indianapolis

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2006

Duke lacrosse team suspended following sexual assault allegations

Duke University officials suspend the men’s lacrosse team for two games following allegations that team members sexually assaulted a stripper hired to perform at a party. Three players were later charged with rape. The case became a national scandal, impacted by issues of race, politics and class. In April 2007, all charges against the young […]

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