In 2011, The Artist became just the fifth predominately or entirely silent film to score a Best Picture nomination.
If you want to know more about the history of the Oscars, please read my book:
The Artist is the first silent feature to be recognized in 83 years, following in the footsteps of:
Wings (1927/1928)
The Racket (1927/1928)
Seventh Heaven (1927/1928)
The Patriot (1928/1929).
Only one silent film, Wings, has won the Best Picture.