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Major Events of December 1958: Key Historical Moments from the Month

Each month is marked by defining moments that shape the course of history. Whether through political shifts, cultural movements, or world-changing events, these periods leave a lasting impression. Dive into the most important events from December 1958 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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Major Events of December 1958: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Dec 1958 Central African Republic gains independence: The Central African Republic achieved full independence from France on December 1, 1958. This event marked the culmination of a gradual process of decolonization in Africa during the mid-20th century. source: britannica.com
  • 02 Dec 1958 Benelux Treaty signing: The Benelux Treaty was signed on December 2, 1958, establishing a customs union between Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. This agreement aimed to promote economic cooperation and integration among the three countries. source: benelux.int
  • 05 Dec 1958 Preston By-pass: UK's first motorway opens: The Preston By-pass, which opened on December 5, 1958, was the first motorway in the United Kingdom. It marked a significant development in the UK's road infrastructure, facilitating faster travel and improving connectivity. The motorway was part of the M6 and set the stage for future motorway construction across the country. source: bbc.com
  • 06 Dec 1958 US Pioneer 3 lunar probe launch attempt: The US attempted to launch the Pioneer 3 lunar probe on December 6, 1958. Although the mission did not achieve its intended goal of reaching the Moon, it provided valuable data about the Earth's radiation belts. This was part of the early efforts in space exploration during the Cold War era. source: nasa.gov
  • 07 Dec 1958 Rómulo Betancourt elected president of Venezuela: On December 7, 1958, Rómulo Betancourt was elected president of Venezuela, marking the first free elections after the overthrow of Marcos Pérez Jiménez. source: britannica.com
  • 10 Dec 1958 First domestic jet passenger flight in the United States: On December 10, 1958, National Airlines became the first airline to operate jet service for flights within the United States, as a Boeing 707 plane began flying between Miami and New York City. This marked a significant advancement in domestic air travel. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 11 Dec 1958 Decolonization of French West African Territories: On December 11, 1958, several French West African territories, including Upper Volta (now Burkina Faso), gained self-governance within the French Community, marking a significant step towards their eventual independence. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 12 Dec 1958 Guinea Joins the United Nations: On December 12, 1958, Guinea was admitted as the 82nd member of the United Nations, following its declaration of independence from France on October 2, 1958. source: digitallibrary.un.org
  • 14 Dec 1958 Soviet Antarctic Expedition reaches Pole of Inaccessibility: On December 14, 1958, the 3rd Soviet Antarctic Expedition, led by Yevgeny Tolstikov, established a temporary research station at the Southern Pole of Inaccessibility, the point in Antarctica furthest from any ocean. The station performed meteorological observations from December 14 to 26, 1958. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 17 Dec 1958 NASA announces human spaceflight program: On December 17, 1958, NASA officially announced its human spaceflight program, marking a significant step in the United States' efforts in space exploration. This program aimed to develop the technology and capabilities necessary for human space travel, ultimately leading to missions such as Mercury and Apollo. source: nasa.gov
  • 18 Dec 1958 Project SCORE: world's first communications satellite launch: On December 18, 1958, Project SCORE (Signal Communications by Orbiting Relay Equipment) was launched, becoming the world's first communications satellite. This event was crucial in the development of satellite communications technology. source: nasa.gov
  • 19 Dec 1958 First radio broadcast from space: On December 19, 1958, the first radio broadcast from space was made by the Explorer 1 satellite. This event showcased the capabilities of space technology and its potential for communication. source: nasa.gov
  • 21 Dec 1958 French presidential election of 1958: On December 21, 1958, Charles de Gaulle was elected as the first President of the French Fifth Republic. He received 78.5% of the vote, defeating Georges Marrane of the French Communist Party and Albert Châtelet of the Union of Democratic Forces. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 22 Dec 1958 Second Dutch Beel Government forms: On December 22, 1958, the Second Beel cabinet was established in the Netherlands. This caretaker government, led by Prime Minister Louis Beel, was formed by the Catholic People's Party (KVP), Anti-Revolutionary Party (ARP), and Christian Historical Union (CHU) following the collapse of the Third Drees cabinet. The cabinet's primary objective was to prepare for the 1959 general elections. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 25 Dec 1958 First color television broadcast of Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker: On December 25, 1958, the first color television broadcast of Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker was aired in the United States. This landmark event showcased the ballet in vibrant color, marking a significant moment in television history. source: npr.org
  • 26 Dec 1958 Jackie Wilson dominates R&B charts: On December 26, 1958, Jackie Wilson was a leading figure on the R&B charts, showcasing his influence in the music industry during this period. His hits contributed significantly to the genre's popularity. source: billboard.com
  • 27 Dec 1958 The Chipmunks top US charts: On December 27, 1958, The Chipmunks achieved a significant milestone by topping the US charts. Their unique sound and appeal made them a favorite among audiences, especially during the holiday season. source: billboard.com
  • 28 Dec 1958 NFL Championship: Greatest Game Ever Played: The Baltimore Colts defeated the New York Giants 23–17 in overtime at Yankee Stadium, marking the first NFL game decided by sudden death overtime. This game is widely regarded as 'The Greatest Game Ever Played' and significantly boosted the NFL's popularity. source: history.com
  • 29 Dec 1958 NFL Championship Game: Baltimore Colts Triumph: The Baltimore Colts secured their first NFL Championship by defeating the New York Giants 23–17 in overtime at Yankee Stadium. This game is widely regarded as 'The Greatest Game Ever Played' and significantly boosted the NFL's popularity. source: history.com
  • 31 Dec 1958 Cold War Diplomatic Tension: Berlin Crisis: The Berlin Crisis of 1958 marked a significant period of tension during the Cold War, primarily involving the United States and the Soviet Union. It was characterized by disputes over the status of Berlin and culminated in increased military presence and diplomatic negotiations. source: britannica.com