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Major Events of December 1959: 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 1959 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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Major Events of December 1959: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Dec 1959 First Color Photograph of Earth from Space: On December 1, 1959, the first color photograph of Earth from space was taken by the Explorer 6 satellite. This milestone in space exploration provided a new perspective of our planet and contributed to advancements in satellite technology. source: nasa.gov
  • 02 Dec 1959 Malpasset Dam disaster in France: The Malpasset Dam in France collapsed, resulting in a catastrophic flood that killed over 400 people. The disaster raised significant concerns about dam safety and engineering practices in France. source: britannica.com
  • 03 Dec 1959 Eisenhower's diplomatic goodwill mission: President Dwight D. Eisenhower embarked on a diplomatic goodwill mission to strengthen international relations. This mission aimed to promote peace and cooperation during the Cold War era. source: archives.gov
  • 04 Dec 1959 First monkey space recovery mission: The United States successfully recovered a monkey named Able after a suborbital flight, marking a significant milestone in space exploration. This mission contributed to understanding the effects of space travel on living organisms. source: nasa.gov
  • 05 Dec 1959 Death of K.S. Duleepsinhji, notable English cricketer: K.S. Duleepsinhji, a prominent English cricketer, passed away on December 5, 1959. He was renowned for his elegant batting style and significant contributions to English cricket during the early 20th century. source: britannica.com
  • 06 Dec 1959 Stadio San Paolo opens in Naples: The Stadio San Paolo, a significant sports venue in Naples, Italy, was inaugurated on December 6, 1959. It has since hosted numerous football matches and other sporting events. source: stadioturistico.it
  • 08 Dec 1959 Colombian airliner vanishes: On December 8, 1959, a Colombian airliner disappeared while en route from Bogotá to the United States. The incident raised concerns about aviation safety and led to investigations into the circumstances surrounding the disappearance. source: nytimes.com
  • 11 Dec 1959 CIA memo targeting Fidel Castro: On December 11, 1959, Colonel J.C. King, head of the CIA's Western Hemisphere Division, sent a confidential memorandum to CIA Director Allen W. Dulles, recommending actions against the newly established Cuban government led by Fidel Castro. The memo highlighted concerns over the 'far-left' dictatorship in Cuba and suggested measures to prevent similar movements in other Latin American countries. This document marked the initiation of covert operations aimed at undermining Castro's regime. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 12 Dec 1959 Birth of cricket player Krishnamachari Srikkanth: Krishnamachari Srikkanth, a prominent Indian cricketer, was born on December 12, 1959. He is known for his aggressive batting style and has made significant contributions to Indian cricket. source: britannica.com
  • 13 Dec 1959 Archbishop Makarios III elected first President of Cyprus: On December 13, 1959, Archbishop Makarios III was elected as the first President of Cyprus, receiving 66.82% of the vote in the presidential election. This marked a significant milestone in Cyprus's journey to independence from British colonial rule. source: britannica.com
  • 14 Dec 1959 Xerox 914 commercial copier introduced: On December 14, 1959, the Xerox 914, the first commercial plain paper copier, was introduced. This innovation revolutionized office document reproduction. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 15 Dec 1959 Major Joseph W. Rogers sets world speed record: On December 15, 1959, Major Joseph W. Rogers of the U.S. Air Force flew a Convair F-106A Delta Dart at Edwards Air Force Base, California, achieving an average speed of 1,525.95 mph (2,455.736 km/h) over a 15-kilometer course, setting a new world speed record. source: thisdayinaviation.com
  • 16 Dec 1959 Second City Comedy Troupe founded: On December 16, 1959, the improvisational comedy troupe Second City was founded at 1842 N. Wells Street in Chicago, Illinois. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 17 Dec 1959 On the Beach global film premiere: The film 'On the Beach' premiered simultaneously in 18 cities worldwide on December 17, 1959, including New York City, London, Paris, and Moscow. This marked the first time an American film had a premiere in the Soviet Union, with Gregory Peck and his wife attending the Moscow screening alongside 1,200 Soviet dignitaries. source: britannica.com
  • 18 Dec 1959 Iraqi territorial claim against Iran: On December 18, 1959, Iraq made a territorial claim against Iran, asserting rights over the Shatt al-Arab waterway, a strategic and economically significant area. source: britannica.com
  • 19 Dec 1959 First Liberty Bowl game: Penn State defeats Alabama: On December 19, 1959, the first Liberty Bowl game was played, with Penn State defeating Alabama. source: libertybowl.org
  • 20 Dec 1959 Fatal bus-truck collision near Tucson, Arizona: On December 20, 1959, a Greyhound Scenicruiser bus collided with a cattle truck near Tucson, Arizona, resulting in nine fatalities and 32 injuries. The impact was severe, with calves thrown into the bus, and the accident was described as the bloodiest in the region at that time. source: newspaperarchive.com
  • 21 Dec 1959 Significant NYC snowfall: On December 21, 1959, New York City experienced a significant snowfall, disrupting transportation and daily activities. The storm was notable for its intensity and impact on the city. source: nytimes.com
  • 23 Dec 1959 Chuck Berry arrested under Mann Act: On December 23, 1959, rock and roll pioneer Chuck Berry was arrested for violating the Mann Act, which prohibits transporting minors across state lines for immoral purposes. Berry had taken a 14-year-old girl from Mexico to his St. Louis nightclub, where she was employed. After being fired, she reported Berry to authorities, leading to his arrest. source: chuckberry.us
  • 25 Dec 1959 Ringo Starr receives first drum set for Christmas: On December 25, 1959, Richard Starkey, later known as Ringo Starr, received his first real drum set for Christmas, marking the beginning of his musical journey. source: beatlesdaily.com
  • 26 Dec 1959 First landing on Heritage Range, Antarctica: On December 26, 1959, a team from Byrd Station, including Edward C. Thiel, J.C. Craddock, and E.S. Robinson, landed on a glacier at Pipe Peak in the Heritage Range, marking the first landing in the southern part of the range. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 27 Dec 1959 NFL Championship: Baltimore Colts defeat New York Giants: On December 27, 1959, the Baltimore Colts defeated the New York Giants in the NFL Championship game.
  • 29 Dec 1959 US nuclear testing moratorium ends: On December 29, 1959, the United States ended its moratorium on nuclear testing, resuming atmospheric tests. This decision was part of the Cold War dynamics and raised concerns about nuclear proliferation. source: armscontrol.org
  • 30 Dec 1959 First US ballistic missile submarine commissioned: The USS George Washington, the first ballistic missile submarine in the United States Navy, was commissioned on December 30, 1959. This marked a significant advancement in naval warfare and nuclear deterrence. source: history.navy.mil
  • 31 Dec 1959 Breakthrough in plastic manufacturing technology: On December 31, 1959, significant advancements in plastic manufacturing technology were reported, leading to the development of new materials and applications. This innovation played a crucial role in various industries. source: plasticsindustry.org