What happened in February 1959?
The top front-page story of each day in February 1959, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- Feb 1🌉 New Bridge Opens – A new all-weather bridge spanning the Colorado Canyon opens this month, enhancing travel between Utah and Arizona.
- Feb 2🌽 Gene Trait Disputed – Research shows a corn gene's ability to produce color vanishes after combining tests, raising questions about genetic individuality.
- Feb 3🔬 Heart Clot Discovery – Israeli physician reveals a new technique using radioactive iodine to diagnose thrombosis effectively.
- Feb 4🌍 France's Overseas Council – De Gaulle presides over the first meeting of France's Overseas Council, attended by 12 African premiers.
- Feb 5🏛️ Hawaii Statehood Bill – House unit votes 25-4 to support Hawaii's statehood, rejecting calls for further study.
- Feb 6🏌️ Magee Shoots 63 – Canadian golfer Magee sets a course record with a seven-under-par score in the first round of a tournament.
- Feb 7🔬 Youth Hormone Discovered – 'Elixir of youth' found in humans; Harvard zoologist extracts hormone that prolongs insect life, potential implications for aging.
- Feb 8🛰 Vatican Studies Space – Jesuit Observatory's report on space draws interest from both Russian and Western scientists, highlighting global scientific collaboration.
- Feb 9🏔️ Connecticut Ski Champion – Roger Dion wins the Connecticut State Ski Jumping Championship, leading in Olympic qualifying with a surprising victory.
- Feb 10🏛️ U.S. Opera Series Announced – City Center lists its second season of American opera works, featuring eight new productions starting March 30.
- Feb 11🌪️ Tornado Devastates St. Louis – A tornado strikes St. Louis, resulting in 21 fatalities and injuring 300, as homes are leveled and many are trapped.
- Feb 12🎉 Cyprus Independence Agreement – Greece and Turkey agree on Cyprus as a free republic, setting the stage for independence outside the Commonwealth.
- Feb 13📚 Sandburg Eulogizes Lincoln – Carl Sandburg delivers a moving eulogy on Abraham Lincoln to Congress, captivating the audience with his words.
- Feb 14🏛️ Cyprus Talks Initiated – Makarios invited to London conference alongside Turkish Cypriote representatives for discussions on Cyprus.
- Feb 15🏆 Miss Ruuska Sets Record – U.S. swimmer Miss Ruuska sets a world record in the 220-yard medley race with a time of 2:40.3.
- Feb 16🌍 Rumanian Family Thrives – A Rumanian family finds happiness and opportunity as immigrants in Israel, contributing to the new settlement.
- Feb 17🔬 New Ship Location Device – R.C.A. introduces a device that automatically computes a ship's latitude and longitude, enhancing navigation accuracy.
- Feb 18🌌 Satellite Weather Eye – Vanguard satellite successfully launched, marking the first meteorological observatory in space for global weather forecasting.
- Feb 19🔬 Artificial Heart Valves Tested – New types of artificial heart valves are being sought after previous designs failed in canine trials.
- Feb 20🌍 Cyprus Republic Assured – Britain, Greece, and Turkey sign a pact ensuring the establishment of the Cyprus Republic, hailed as a victory of reason.
- Feb 21🌉 Bridge Opens in Arizona – The Glen Canyon Bridge is inaugurated, marking a significant achievement in federal dam projects across the Colorado.
- Feb 22🌍 Cyprus Amnesty Announced – Governor declares amnesty, closing detention camps and freeing 900 captives as emergency ends in Cyprus.
- Feb 23🎻 Goberman Plays Handel – Conductor Goberman makes his first appearance as a violinist in 20 years, performing Handel sonatas.
- Feb 24🌍 Moscow's Bright Lights – New brightness in Moscow symbolizes significant changes in the Soviet capital over the past twelve years.
- Feb 25🌊 Submarine Plans Dive – Two programs aim to develop vehicles for exploring ocean floors, seeking a four-mile dive capability.
- Feb 26🏛️ Donizetti Opera Festival – 'The Duke of Alba' will open the festival at '2 Worlds' in Spoleto, Italy, showcasing cultural heritage and artistic expression.
- Feb 27🌍 U.S. Navy Boards Trawler – U.S. Navy boards a Soviet trawler in the North Atlantic amid tensions following breaks in transoceanic cables.
- Feb 28📈 Historic Stock Market Rise – Stock indices reached historic highs in February, marking the heaviest trading month since 1930.
Happy Birthday! 1959 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1959 in real headlines. See the 1959 book →