What happened in July 1958?
The top front-page story of each day in July 1958, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- Jul 1🇺🇸 Alaska Becomes 49th State – Senate votes 64-20 to approve Alaska's statehood, sending the bill to President Eisenhower for signature.
- Jul 2🌊 Lake Created for Seaway – A major blast frees the St. Lawrence River, creating a lake to facilitate ocean-going vessels and enhance trade.
- Jul 3🌍 Nasser Visits Tito – Egyptian President Nasser arrives in Yugoslavia for a visit, highlighting the independence of Yugoslavia and Arab neutrality.
- Jul 4🎆 Fireworks Concert Success – A concert featuring fireworks near Lewisohn Stadium delighted attendees, showcasing musical talent and pyrotechnics.
- Jul 5🎾 Cooper Wins Wimbledon – Malcolm Cooper defeats fellow Australian in a thrilling four-set match to claim the Wimbledon tennis title.
- Jul 6🏆 Gibson Wins Wimbledon – Althea Gibson defeats Miss Mortimer to win the Wimbledon title, marking a significant achievement in sports history.
- Jul 7🏆 U.S. Rowing Title Won – Detroit Boat Club secures the U.S. rowing championship for the third consecutive year, showcasing athletic excellence.
- Jul 8🔬 New Cancer Drugs Unveiled – Sloan-Kettering doctors present two promising new chemicals for cancer treatment at a London congress.
- Jul 9🏛️ Soviet Gymnasts Win Title – Soviet gymnasts secure victory at the World Championships in Moscow, with Chakhlin earning individual honors.
- Jul 10🚀 Rocket Test Launched – U.S. Air Force fires a rocket carrying a mouse in a test at a Florida base, aiming to recover the nose cone.
- Jul 11🌍 Severe Earthquake Hits Alaska – A severe earthquake jolted Alaska, causing five fatalities and injuries, while breaking off glaciers and lifting parts of an island.
- Jul 12🔬 New Cancer Fight Urged – Rhoads calls for a global effort against cancer, emphasizing heredity as a key factor at a London congress.
- Jul 13🌍 Bastille Day Reflections – Bastille Day symbolizes democracy ideals globally, while in France, it reflects a revolutionary tradition that divides the nation.
- Jul 14🏁 Sports Car Race Winners – King and Georgi among victors at Lime Rock, showcasing keen competition in a thrilling sports car race.
- Jul 15🌍 U.N. Mideast Action Urged – President calls for U.N. intervention in the Middle East following a coup in Iraq that ousted King Nuri as-Said.
- Jul 16🔬 Cancer Prevention Studies – Recent studies at Sloan-Kettering highlight the body's natural defenses against cancer, though a complete cure remains distant.
- Jul 17🚀 Civilian Space Agency Voted – U.S. Congress approves a civilian space agency, seen as a positive step for future space exploration and scientific advancement.
- Jul 18🌍 U.S. Jets Display Power – More than 50 U.S. Navy planes fly over Jordan as American soldiers arrive in Beirut amid rising tensions in the region.
- Jul 19🔬 Scientists Weigh Atom Check – Geneva conferees discuss nuclear blast detection methods using radio technology to enhance safety measures.
- Jul 20♟️ Soviet Students Win – Soviet students retain the chess championship, leading the U.S. 1.5-0.5 for a total of 18.5 points, with Bulgaria in second place.
- Jul 21⚓ Mackenzie Wins Yacht Race – Mackenzie pilots Black Arrow to victory in an international yacht race, with 246 crafts participating in Larchmont test.
- Jul 22🌊 Dawn Fraser Sets Record – Dawn Fraser of Australia sets a new world record in the 110-yard freestyle at the Empire Games in Cardiff.
- Jul 23🏛️ Nasser Predicts Arab Victory – Egypt's President Nasser claims Lebanon, Algeria, and Jordan will unite under his nationalist banner.
- Jul 24🏊 World Record Swim – Judy Grinham sets a new world record in the women's 110-yard backstroke at the British Empire Games, clocking 1:11.9.
- Jul 25🌍 Atom Conference Advances – East-West scientists agree on a method to detect underground nuclear tests at the Atom Conference.
- Jul 26🌍 U.S. Letter to Russians – Eisenhower's letter to Khrushchev asserts that the U.S. will not accept a limited agenda for discussions on the Middle East.
- Jul 27🌍 Eight Nations Explore Antarctica – Eight nations conduct extensive studies over 14,000 miles in Antarctica as part of the International Geophysical Year.
- Jul 28💉 Salk Shots Urged – Surgeon General urges all under 40 to get Salk polio vaccine amid rising seasonal incidence of polio.
- Jul 29🔬 I.G.Y. Scientists Meet – International Geophysical Year scientists gather in Moscow for first assembly to discuss global scientific collaboration.
- Jul 30🚀 President Hails Space Board – President signs bill to establish a new space board, marking a historic step for peaceful research in the U.S.
- Jul 31🏗️ Steel Prices Surge – Steel issues rise sharply due to price increases, with a late rally reversing trends as shorts rush to cover.
Happy Birthday! 1958 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1958 in real headlines. See the 1958 book →
Born in July? Pick the day
Every birthday in July has its own On This Day in Headlines book: