What happened in May 1958?
The top front-page story of each day in May 1958, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- May 1🌍 Khrushchev Meets Nasser – Khrushchev and Nasser hold a three-hour meeting in the Kremlin, discussing various political matters.
- May 2🌍 Nehru's Leadership Crisis – Nehru expresses frustration over his leadership amid political unrest, urging aides to let him step down temporarily.
- May 3🚀 Shooting for the Moon – U.S. rocket experts believe the next step into space is achievable with current technology advancements.
- May 4🚧 Canada's Highway Complete – Canada's transcontinental highway is nearly complete, with only three gaps remaining from coast to coast.
- May 5🌍 Colombia Elects Lleras – Lleras is elected as Colombia's first bipartisan president, marking a significant step in the country's democratic restoration.
- May 6🔬 A-BLAST DETECTED – Underground Nevada nuclear test recorded 1,735 miles away by a special seismograph, showcasing advancements in detection technology.
- May 7🎶 Maria Lopes Debuts – Brazilian soprano Maria Lopes makes her Town Hall debut, performing Mussorgsky's cycle and Lieder.
- May 8🚀 Space Explorers Rise – Two explorers ascend nearly 8 miles in a balloon, reaching 40,000 feet and discovering stars do not twinkle at that altitude.
- May 9🎾 Krishnan Upsets Davidson – India's tennis player Krishnan defeats Swedish star Davidson in the third round of the Rome Tennis Championship.
- May 10🎨 El Greco Painting Sold – A painting attributed to El Greco sold for $105,840, previously thought to be a Tintoretto, marking a significant art auction.
- May 11🌍 Antarctica's Record Winter – Antarctica records extreme temperatures of -108.6°F and winds reaching 133 mph, marking a significant weather event.
- May 12🔬 Atom Accelerators Probe – Atomic accelerators reveal new findings, changing views on matter and discovering 30 elementary particles.
- May 13🌍 Aquarium Plans Pool – Mechanism will create ebb and flood to show how fish live near shore, enhancing public understanding of marine life.
- May 14🎨 Museum Opening Success – A new museum showcasing North American wildlife opens, featuring animals, birds, and plants in a historical context.
- May 15🏛️ Covent Garden Centennial – Covent Garden Opera House in London marks its 100th anniversary with celebrations planned for June 10.
- May 16🚀 Soviet Satellite Launched – Soviet Union successfully launches a 1.5-ton satellite into orbit, marking a significant achievement in the space race.
- May 17🦴 Ice Age Fossils Found – Fossils of Ice Age beasts and birds, dating back 20,000 years, uncovered in Peru by Toronto Museum scientists.
- May 18🚀 New Sputnik Launched – Soviet Union successfully launches a new Sputnik, enhancing its position in the space race and global arms leverage.
- May 19🔬 U.S. Regains Cone – U.S. successfully recovers a cone from Jupiter after a re-entry test, marking a significant achievement in space exploration.
- May 20🏛️ De Gaulle Returns – Crowded Left Bank salon hosts de Gaulle's return to politics, engaging in a relaxed news conference with the press.
- May 21🎶 U.S. Orchestra Cheered – A U.S. orchestra receives an enthusiastic welcome in Bucharest, marking a significant cultural exchange behind the Iron Curtain.
- May 22🔬 Research Yields Cotton – Studies in protein chemistry lead to the development of a wool-like cotton with various practical applications.
- May 23🚢 Nuclear Merchant Vessel – Keel-laying of the first nuclear merchant vessel marks a significant milestone in U.S. maritime history on National Maritime Day.
- May 24🏆 Marshall Wins Big Ten – Ohio State's Marshall wins the Big Ten discus event with a throw of 172 feet, marking a significant athletic achievement.
- May 25🌍 Asian Games Open – 70,000 fans gather in Tokyo Stadium as the Asian Games commence, featuring 1,409 athletes from various countries.
- May 26⚛️ U.S. Dedicates Atom Plant – The U.S. dedicates an atomic reactor in Shippingport, marking a significant milestone in nuclear energy.
- May 27⚛️ Eisenhower Hails Atoms – President Eisenhower dedicates Shippingport Unit, the first commercial nuclear power plant, emphasizing peaceful atomic energy.
- May 28🏛️ Dignitaries Pay Homage – Dignitaries honor Cardinal Stritch in Rome, with praise from President Eisenhower for his contributions.
- May 29🌍 Japan Dominates Swimming – Japanese swimmers win seven gold medals, extending their lead at the Third Asian Games held in Tokyo.
- May 30🔬 Nuclear Devices Exhibition – The U.S. will showcase four major nuclear device models at the Geneva Atoms-for-Peace conference.
- May 31✈️ Jetliner Passes Air Test – A Douglas jetliner successfully completes a two-hour test flight, reaching speeds of 600 mph for 176 passengers.
Happy Birthday! 1958 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1958 in real headlines. See the 1958 book →