American actor Billy Porter wore a black velvet tuxedo dress designed by Christian Siriano on the red carpet of the 91st Academy Awards (Oscars) on February 24, 2019. Porter had recently come into public view for his breakout role in the FX television series Pose, and his boundary- pushing red carpet attire during the 2018–19 film awards season. Following his appearance at the 76th Golden Globe Awards in a custom silver suit with fuchsia-lined cape, he was invited to host red carpet interviews at the Oscars pre-show. Porter approached Siriano and together they conceived the tuxedo gown. It was well-received by fashion journalists, who highlighted its elegant design and described it as a favorite Oscars dress and one of Porter's most fashionable red carpet looks. The gown cemented Porter's status as a celebrity and as a fashion icon. Porter considers the outfit a piece of political art intended to drive a conversation about men's fashion and masculinity. It has also received praise from academics and the general public, as well as criticism from conservative commentators.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Christian_Siriano_gown_of_Billy_Porter

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1919:

The Third Anglo-Afghan War ended with the United Kingdom signing a treaty to recognise the independence of the Emirate of Afghanistan. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_Anglo-Afghan_War

1929:

The German airship Graf Zeppelin departed Lakehurst, New Jersey, on a flight to circumnavigate the world. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LZ_127_Graf_Zeppelin

2009:

Nine people died when a tour helicopter and a small private airplane collided over the Hudson River in Hoboken, New Jersey. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_Hudson_River_mid-air_collision

2014:

The World Health Organization declared the Western African Ebola virus epidemic, which began in December 2013, to be a public health emergency of international concern. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_African_Ebola_virus_epidemic

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

incommode: 1. To make (someone) uncomfortable; to discomfort, to disturb, to trouble. 2. To cause (someone or something) inconvenience; to hinder, to impede, to inconvenience, to obstruct. 3. (formal, obsolete) Synonym of incommodious 4. Inapt; unsuitable. 5. Inconvenient; troublesome. 6. (formal, obsolete) Something which causes inconvenience or trouble; a bother, an incommodity, an inconvenience. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/incommode

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

I hope that I will have hastened the start of that process of healing which is so desperately needed in America. I regret deeply any injuries that may have been done in the course of the events that led to this decision. I would say only that if some of my judgments were wrong, and some were wrong, they were made in what I believed at the time to be the best interest of the Nation. To those who have stood with me during these past difficult months, to my family, my friends, to many others who joined in supporting my cause because they believed it was right, I will be eternally grateful for your support. And to those who have not felt able to give me your support, let me say I leave with no bitterness toward those who have opposed me, because all of us, in the final analysis, have been concerned with the good of the country, however our judgments might differ. So, let us all now join together in affirming that common commitment and in helping our new President succeed for the benefit of all Americans.   --Richard Nixon https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Richard_Nixon