What happened in January 1958?
The top front-page story of each day in January 1958, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- Jan 1🌍 Global Weather Control Urged – U.S. officials emphasize the need for methods to control the world's weather, citing its importance for national interests.
- Jan 2🦠 Asian Flu Hits City – City reports 10% affected by Asian flu; 800,000 cases and 208 fatalities noted in 1957 health review.
- Jan 3🌌 First Satellite Falls – Illinois sighting believed to be a meteor; first satellite goes unseen for a month, raising concerns.
- Jan 4🔭 Big Radio Telescope Planned – University of Michigan to start construction on a large radio telescope to study the Sun and space signals.
- Jan 5🌍 Adenauer Celebrates 82 – Germany honors Konrad Adenauer with a seven-hour celebration for his 82nd birthday, marking his significant political legacy.
- Jan 6🔬 Microscope Breakthrough – RCA unveils a groundbreaking microscope capable of magnifying specimens up to 200,000 times, enhancing scientific research capabilities.
- Jan 7🔭 Big Dish Planned – A 600-foot radio telescope aims to enhance U.S. capabilities in astronomy, potentially ending the lag in the field.
- Jan 8🚀 U.S. Space Policy Shift – Johnson calls for a new U.S. policy to gain control of outer space amid growing Soviet challenges.
- Jan 9🌌 Wagner's Space Crew Plan – Wagner proposes a one-way crew mission to the moon during a panel discussion on the Space Age.
- Jan 10🌍 Common Market Impact – The European Common Market is expected to significantly influence U.S. trade policies and economic strategies.
- Jan 11🔬 Polar Explorer Patents – Explorer patents a mask designed to protect the face in extreme cold, showcasing innovative solutions for harsh environments.
- Jan 12🌍 NATO-Soviet Talks Proposed – Lester B. Pearson urges NATO to initiate negotiations with the Soviet Union during a Nobel dinner, emphasizing the need for dialogue.
- Jan 13🚀 Vanguard Launch Planned – Buzz at Florida base indicates a new attempt to launch the Vanguard test satellite this week.
- Jan 14🔬 Record Peacetime Budget – President Eisenhower requests a historic $73.9 billion budget, emphasizing new weapons and no tax increases amid expected economic recovery.
- Jan 15✈️ B.O.A.C. Orders Jets – British Overseas Airways Corporation signs $168 million contract for 35 new jet airliners.
- Jan 16🏊 Jon Konrads Sets Records – Australian swimmer Jon Konrads, 15, breaks world records in 400-meter and 440-yard events with a time of 4:25.9.
- Jan 17🔬 I.G.Y. Earth Secrets – First report of the International Geophysical Year reveals new data on cosmic rays and ocean currents.
- Jan 18🔬 New Mill Technology – A new mill design grinds materials into submicroscopic bits without moving parts, showcasing innovative engineering.
- Jan 19🔬 Lead Poisoning Awareness – Cities launch initiatives to address lead poisoning in children, linking it to ingestion of contaminated materials.
- Jan 20🌍 Britain Requests Uranium – Britain seeks uranium from the U.S. for future nuclear reactors, signaling a potential collaboration in atomic energy.
- Jan 21🏆 Webb Stops Calhoun – Webb wins by TKO in the fourth round after knocking down Calhoun twice in a boxing match on the West Coast.
- Jan 22🌌 First Satellite Soon – Schriever states the U.S. has the technical ability to launch its first satellite 'quite soon,' marking a significant step in the space race.
- Jan 23🌍 U.N. Rules on Jerusalem – The U.N. Council votes 11-0 to impose greater control over the Jerusalem zone between Israel and Jordan.
- Jan 24🏛️ Girl Scout Center Opens – A new 13-story structure is dedicated as the National Headquarters for the Girl Scouts in New York City.
- Jan 25❄️ Big Snowflakes Created – A device produces snowflakes measuring 2 to 4 inches in diameter, showcasing advancements in weather technology.
- Jan 26🚢 Japan Tops Shipyards – Japan launched 2,424,000 tons of ships in 1957, leading the world in shipbuilding for the second consecutive year.
- Jan 27🏅 Monti and Alvera Win – Italian duo Monti and Alvera set a course record on the final run to retain their bobsled title in a thrilling competition.
- Jan 28🌍 U.S., Soviet Cultural Accord – U.S. and Soviet Union sign an agreement to expand cultural exchanges in arts and education, promoting cooperation between the two nations.
- Jan 29🔬 Artificial Heart Breakthrough – New artificial heart technology assists surgery, marking a significant advancement in medical repair techniques.
- Jan 30🏅 U.S. Bobsled Victory – Severino leads U.S. bobsled team to victory at the Donna Fox Cup, with the German quartet finishing in second place.
- Jan 31🚀 Chimps Pass Space Test – Chimps withstand 100 G's in abrupt-stop rides on a ground rocket sled, showcasing their resilience for space missions.
Happy Birthday! 1958 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1958 in real headlines. See the 1958 book →
Born in January? Pick the day
Every birthday in January has its own On This Day in Headlines book: