1959

Facts and Events That Happened in This Year

Oct 29

Adventures of Asterix was first published in the French magazine 'Pilote.'

Oct 7

The Soviet spacecraft Luna 3 allowed the world to look at the far side of the moon for the first time.

Sep 14

The Luna 2 spacecraft by the Soviet Union became the first human-made artifact to land on the moon's surface.

Sep 13

The Soviet Union's Luna 2 space probe became the first spacecraft to reach the moon's surface.

Aug 7

NASA's Explorer 6 satellite launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Jul 31

Cliff Richard and The Drifters' single 'Living Doll' reached number one in the UK charts and stayed there for six weeks.

Jul 22

American sci-fi horror movie 'Plan 9 From Outer Space' premiered.

Jul 17

Mary Leakey discovered ancient skull remains in Tanzania, Africa.

Jun 14

The Disneyland Monorail System opened to the public in Anaheim, California.

Jun 9

The first ballistic missile submarine was launched from Groton, Connecticut, US.

May 21

Gypsy opened at Broadway Theater in NYC for 702 performances.

May 4

The first Grammy Awards was held.

Mar 30

The Dalai Lama received political asylum in India after fleeing from China.

Mar 29

The black and white romantic comedy 'Some Like it Hot' was released to movie theaters in New York City.

Mar 15

Robert Foster made a world record for holding his breath underwater.

Mar 9

Barbie was presented to the public for the first time.

Feb 28

The US Air Force launched the Discoverer 1 reconnaissance satellite.

Feb 20

Jimi Hendrix played his first gig at Temple de Hirsch Synagogue, Seattle, USA.

Feb 16

Fidel Castro was sworn in as Prime Minister of Cuba.

Feb 9

The Soviet R-7 Semyorka, the world's first Intercontinental ballistic missile, became operational.

Feb 3

Rock and roll musician Buddy Holly died during a plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa.

Jan 30

A three-day-long ''dense smog" rolled through London.

Jan 29

Disney's 'Sleeping Beauty' was released in theaters.

Jan 12

Five boys rediscovered the Caves of Nerja in Andalucia, Spain.

Jan 5

The world's most famous clown 'Bozo' premiered live on KTLA-TV in Los Angeles, California, US.

Jan 5

Singer Buddy Holly's last song was released.

Jan 4

The Soviet spacecraft Luna I became the first to pass the moon.

Jan 3

Alaska became the 49th State to join the United States of America.

Jan 1

Fidel Castro's revolutionary forces overthrew the Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista.