What happened in April 1958?
The top front-page story of each day in April 1958, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- Apr 1🧬 New Chemical Fights Cancer – A new chemical shows effectiveness against blood clots and mouth cancer when used early, marking a significant medical breakthrough.
- Apr 2♟️ Smyslov Reduces Lead – Chess champion Smyslov wins against Botvinnik, narrowing the score to 6.5-4.5 in Moscow's championship match.
- Apr 3🌌 Eisenhower Proposes Space Agency – President Eisenhower urges Congress to create a civilian-controlled space agency to oversee U.S. space projects.
- Apr 4🎶 First 'Creation' Premiered – Haydn's oratorio performed by orchestra and 85 voices, led by Robert Shaw, marks a significant cultural event.
- Apr 5♟️ Botvinnik Wins Chess Match – Botvinnik extends his lead in the World Chess Championship as Smyslov resigns in the twelfth game without resuming play.
- Apr 6🔬 Student Designed Explorer – Cosmic ray instruments for a satellite were drafted by an Air Force pilot, marking a significant step in space research.
- Apr 7🌧️ California Storms Impact – California faces severe storms, resulting in 12 deaths and 5,000 homeless due to flooding and run-off concerns.
- Apr 8🌍 World Bank Aid to Egypt – World Bank pledges assistance to Egypt for canal improvements, with bids for preliminary work to be accepted by May 15.
- Apr 9🏆 Stanley Cup Finals Begin – Canadiens defeat Bruins 2-1 in the opening match of the Stanley Cup Hockey Finals in Montreal.
- Apr 10🏟️ Greece Restoring Olympics – Greece begins restoration of the Olympic Stadium, buried under erosion, to revive its historical significance.
- Apr 11🕰️ Big Ben Centenary – Big Ben, the iconic bell in London's Parliament Clock Tower, celebrates its centenary, having been cast in 1858.
- Apr 12🔬 Cancer Studied Outside Animal – Columbia device reported to permit cell isolation, hailed at parley for potential breakthroughs in cancer research.
- Apr 13🏛️ Pre-Inca Trove Found – American archaeologist uncovers ruins of a civilization that flourished around 1400 in Peru, shedding light on ancient cultures.
- Apr 14🚀 Space Agency Hearings – House Committee begins hearings on plans for civilian control of the space agency, marking a significant step in U.S. space exploration.
- Apr 15🚀 Sputnik II Disintegrates – Moscow confirms the disintegration of Sputnik II, the satellite carrying a dog, over the Caribbean and Atlantic.
- Apr 16🖼️ Museum Fire Incident – A fire at a modern museum resulted in one death and injuries to 31, but most artworks were saved, including valuable pieces.
- Apr 17⚾ Dodgers Night Game Victory – Dodgers defeat Giants 13-1 in first Major League night game on the West Coast, featuring home runs by Snider and Gray.
- Apr 18🏛️ Baudouin Opens Fair – King Baudouin lights the flame to inaugurate the Brussels Fair, with a message sent by President Eisenhower.
- Apr 19🏇 Tim Tam Sets Record – Tim Tam breaks the 7-furlong track record at Keeneland in preparation for the Kentucky Derby, defeating Nadir.
- Apr 20🚢 Record Year for Cruises – Three round-the-world voyages are scheduled, marking a significant increase in long cruise travel.
- Apr 21🚢 Mariner Aids Trade – Freighter hailed as a significant boost to trade in the Far East, according to a U.S. Lines official.
- Apr 22🌍 African Neutral Policy – Free African nations adopt a common neutral foreign policy, signaling a shift towards independence and the end of colonialism.
- Apr 23🌌 Balloon Planned for Moon – Scientists announce plans to launch balloons into space to orbit the Moon, marking a significant step in space exploration.
- Apr 24🚀 Space Gains Seen – House unit reports potential for ten-ton vehicles to be launched into space, marking a significant advancement in rocket technology.
- Apr 25🌾 Israel Expands Farming – Israel establishes new farming settlements in Adulum, enhancing agricultural development near Hebron Hills.
- Apr 26🔬 Planck's Light Theory Revised – Max Planck's revised theory of light introduces separate radiation waves, forming a new basis for modern physics.
- Apr 27🎨 Casals Performs Again – Pablo Casals plays Beethoven's Sonata at a festival, showcasing his confidence and delighting the audience.
- Apr 28🌍 Philippines Steel Expansion – Philippines announces a major steel expansion project, seen as crucial for economic growth in the nation.
- Apr 29🏇 Basketball Triumphs Abroad – American basketball teams celebrate victories in Tiflis, with men's team defeating Azerbaijan 95-46 and women's team winning 42-37.
- Apr 30🚀 Rocket Failure Investigated – Navy attributes Vanguard rocket failure to wiring issues in the third stage, designed for automatic firing.
Happy Birthday! 1958 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1958 in real headlines. See the 1958 book →