Originally scheduled for April 8 , 1968 , the 40th Academy Awards ceremony was postponed for two days , because of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King , Jr. . On March 30 , 1981 , the 53rd Academy Awards was postponed for one day , after the shooting of President Ronald Reagan and others in Washington , D.C . In 1993 , an '' In Memoriam '' segment was introduced , honoring those who had made a significant contribution to cinema who had died in the preceding 12 months , a selection compiled by a small committee of Academy members . This segment has drawn criticism over the years for the omission of some names . Criticism was also levied for many years regarding another aspect , with the segment having a " popularity contest " feel as the audience varied their applause to those who had died by the subject 's cultural impact ; the applause has since been muted during the telecast , and the audience is discouraged from clapping during the segment and giving silent reflection instead
assassination
Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.
Academy Awards