1958

Facts and Events That Happened in This Year

Dec 18

Project SCORE, the world's first communications satellite, was launched into orbit.

Nov 28

The US SM-65 Atlas missile completed the first successful intercontinental ballistic missile launch.

Oct 26

Pan American Airways made the first commercial flight of the Boeing 707 from New York City to Paris.

Oct 23

The Smurfs were published for the first time in Spirou magazine in Belgium.

Oct 11

NASA launched its first space probe, Pioneer 1.

Oct 2

After 67 years of colonial rule, the Republic of Guinea gained independence from France.

Aug 25

Businessman Momofuku Ando marketed the first-ever pre-cooked instant noodles.

Jul 29

President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the National Aeronautics and Space Act, which became NASA.

Jul 24

Boston Red Sox player Ted Williams was fined $250 for spitting on fans.

Jun 9

Queen Elizabeth II opened London Gatwick Airport.

May 23

The first satellite launched by the US, the Explorer 1, stopped transmitting data.

May 15

The USSR launched the Sputnik III.

May 13

An Australian man became the first to circumnavigate the world in an amphibious vehicle.

May 12

The United States and Canada formed NORAD – the North American Air Defense Command.

May 9

The noir psychological thriller film 'Vertigo,' directed by Alfred Hitchcock, was released.

May 8

Richard Nixon was harassed in Peru.

May 7

US Air Force Major Howard Johnson set the world aircraft altitude record in a Lockheed F-104 Starfighter. He broke the world altitude record by flying to 91,243 feet.

Apr 28

Vice President Richard Nixon started a goodwill tour in South America to show that the US was committed to the region.

Apr 28

After 104 episodes, Adventures of Superman aired its final episode.

Apr 14

Sputnik 2 soviet spacecraft burned up, returning through Earth's atmosphere.

Mar 24

Elvis Presley enlisted in the US army.

Mar 19

Prince Philip of Edinburgh opened Britain's first planetarium at Madame Tussaud's in London.

Mar 17

NASA launched the Vanguard I satellite.

Feb 21

Gerald Holtom presented his peace symbol design to the British Direct Action Committee, who accepted it immediately.

Feb 5

A nuclear bomb was lost off the coast of Georgia, US.

Jan 31

The first American satellite, Explorer 1, was launched into space.

Jan 28

A patent was received for Ole Kirk Christiansen's LEGO plastic bricks.

Jan 13

Nine thousand scientists from 43 nations signed a petition to ban nuclear testing.