Major Events of March 1959: Key Historical Moments from the Month
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Major Events of March 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 March 1959 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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

  • 01 Mar 1959 Archbishop Makarios III returns from exile to Cyprus: On March 1, 1959, Archbishop Makarios III returned to Cyprus after being exiled in 1956. His return was met with an unprecedented reception in Nicosia, where nearly two-thirds of the adult Greek Cypriot population turned out to welcome him. source: britannica.com
  • 03 Mar 1959 Pioneer 4 launched into solar orbit: On March 3, 1959, NASA launched Pioneer 4, the second of two early attempts to send a spacecraft to the Moon. The mission was designed primarily to photograph the Moon up close, but due to a trajectory error, the spacecraft passed at a much farther distance than planned, and the camera sensor failed to trigger. However, Pioneer 4 provided valuable data on radiation and the tracking of space objects. source: jpl.nasa.gov
  • 04 Mar 1959 Pioneer 4 passes within 37,000 miles of the Moon: On March 4, 1959, Pioneer 4, launched on March 3, passed within 37,000 miles of the Moon's surface. Although it did not achieve its primary objective of photographing the Moon, the spacecraft provided valuable data on radiation and the tracking of space objects. source: jpl.nasa.gov
  • 05 Mar 1959 Iran-US Economic and Military Cooperation Treaty signed: On March 5, 1959, Iran and the United States signed an Economic and Military Cooperation Treaty. This agreement aimed to strengthen bilateral relations and provided for U.S. military assistance to Iran, marking a significant development in Cold War geopolitics. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 06 Mar 1959 Castro government reduces Cuban rents: In March 1959, Fidel Castro's government implemented measures to reduce rents for urban dwellings, halving rents for those paying less than $100 per month. This initiative aimed to increase the purchasing power of the Cuban populace. However, the policy led to decreased productivity and drained the country's financial reserves within two years. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 08 Mar 1959 Failed Pro-Egyptian Coup in Mosul: On March 8, 1959, Colonel Abd al-Wahab al-Shawaf led an attempted coup in Mosul, Iraq, aiming to depose Prime Minister Abd al-Karim Qasim and join the United Arab Republic. The coup failed, leading to violent street battles and the eventual death of Shawaf. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 09 Mar 1959 Barbie Doll Makes Historic Debut: On March 9, 1959, the first Barbie doll was introduced at the American International Toy Fair in New York City, marking a significant moment in toy history. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 10 Mar 1959 1959 Tibetan uprising begins in Lhasa: On March 10, 1959, thousands of Tibetans in Lhasa surrounded the Dalai Lama's palace, fearing a Chinese plan to arrest him. This marked the start of the 1959 Tibetan uprising, which led to the Dalai Lama's escape to India and significant casualties among Tibetans. source: history.com
  • 11 Mar 1959 Eurovision Song Contest 1959: The fourth edition of the Eurovision Song Contest was held on March 11, 1959, at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès in Cannes, France. The Netherlands won with the song "Een beetje" performed by Teddy Scholten. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 12 Mar 1959 Hawaii Statehood approved by US Congress: On March 12, 1959, the United States Congress approved the admission of Hawaii as the 50th state. This decision marked a significant milestone in the history of the United States, expanding its territory into the Pacific. Hawaii officially became a state on August 21, 1959. source: archives.gov
  • 13 Mar 1959 UN votes to end trusteeship of French Cameroons: On March 13, 1959, the United Nations General Assembly voted to end the trusteeship of French Cameroons, allowing it to gain independence. This decision was part of a broader movement towards decolonization in Africa during the late 1950s. The territory later became the Republic of Cameroon. source: un.org
  • 14 Mar 1959 J.R.D.A.C.I. founded in Côte d'Ivoire: The J.R.D.A.C.I. (Jeunesse Républicaine Démocratique d'Afrique Centrale et de l'Indépendance) was founded in Côte d'Ivoire on March 14, 1959. This organization aimed to promote democratic values and independence in the region during a time of significant political change in Africa. source: britannica.com
  • 15 Mar 1959 Louise Suggs wins LPGA Titleholders Golf Championship: On March 15, 1959, Louise Suggs secured her fourth Titleholders Championship victory at Augusta Country Club, finishing with a score of 297 (+9). She edged out Betsy Rawls, who finished one stroke behind. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 16 Mar 1959 Birth of Jens Stoltenberg: Jens Stoltenberg, the former Prime Minister of Norway and Secretary General of NATO, was born on March 16, 1959.
  • 18 Mar 1959 Hawaii Statehood Act Signed: On March 18, 1959, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the Hawaii Admission Act, paving the way for Hawaii's admission as the 50th U.S. state. The act was signed into law on this date, but Hawaii's statehood became effective on August 21, 1959. source: archives.gov
  • 19 Mar 1959 Tibetan Uprising Against Chinese Troops: On March 19, 1959, following a Chinese government order for the Dalai Lama to report without his bodyguards, fighting erupted in Lhasa, Tibet, as Tibetans clashed with Chinese troops. The Chinese government reported that thousands of rebels attacked Lhasa and were defeated after a two-day battle. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 20 Mar 1959 Attempted vandalism at Lenin's Mausoleum: On March 20, 1959, an individual attempted to break the glass covering Lenin's sarcophagus with a hammer but failed. This incident was part of a series of attempts to desecrate Lenin's body, including a similar attempt in November 1957. source: rbth.com
  • 22 Mar 1959 Mike Brey born: Mike Brey, an American college basketball coach, was born on March 22, 1959. He is known for his long tenure as the head coach of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish men's basketball team. source: nd.edu
  • 23 Mar 1959 Lee Harvey Oswald obtains GED: On March 23, 1959, Lee Harvey Oswald, who would later become infamous for the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, obtained his General Educational Development (GED) certificate. This marked a significant step in his education after dropping out of high school. source: archives.gov
  • 24 Mar 1959 Iraq withdraws from Baghdad Pact: On March 24, 1959, Iraq announced its withdrawal from the Baghdad Pact, a mutual defense agreement aimed at containing Soviet influence in the Middle East. This decision marked a significant shift in Iraq's foreign policy during the Cold War. source: britannica.com
  • 25 Mar 1959 Mao Zedong's Shanghai Meeting: On March 25, 1959, Mao Zedong convened a secret meeting at the Jinjiang Hotel in Shanghai. During this meeting, he ordered the party to procure up to one-third of all grain, emphasizing that distributing resources evenly would ruin the Great Leap Forward. Mao stated, "To distribute resources evenly will only ruin the Great Leap Forward. When there is not enough to eat, people starve to death. It is better to let half of the people die so that the other half can eat their fill." source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 26 Mar 1959 Death of Raymond Chandler: Raymond Chandler, the American novelist and screenwriter, died on March 26, 1959, in La Jolla, California. He was best known for his hard-boiled detective fiction, particularly the Philip Marlowe series. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 28 Mar 1959 China dissolves Tibetan government: On March 28, 1959, the Chinese government officially dissolved the Tibetan government, following a period of unrest and the Tibetan uprising. This event marked a significant shift in Tibet's political landscape, leading to increased Chinese control over the region. source: bbc.com
  • 29 Mar 1959 Assassination of Barthélemy Boganda: Barthélemy Boganda, a prominent Central African political leader, was assassinated on March 29, 1959. His death had significant implications for the political landscape of the Central African Republic. source: bbc.com
  • 30 Mar 1959 Dalai Lama escapes Tibet: On March 30, 1959, the 14th Dalai Lama fled Tibet amid fears for his safety during a Chinese military crackdown. He eventually sought asylum in India, where he has since lived and advocated for Tibetan autonomy. source: bbc.com
  • 31 Mar 1959 Birth of rock guitarist Angus Young: Angus Young, the co-founder and lead guitarist of the rock band AC/DC, was born on March 31, 1959, in Glasgow, Scotland. He is known for his energetic performances and distinctive guitar riffs. source: biography.com