What happened in October 1959?
The top front-page story of each day in October 1959, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- Oct 1🌍 World Harvests Increased – Global farm output resumed rise after a slight dip in 1957, according to a United Nations report.
- Oct 2🔬 Soviet Economic Growth – U.S. experts report that the Soviet Union's economic growth rate surpasses that of the United States, raising concerns in Congress.
- Oct 3🌍 Rosh Ha-Shanah Celebrated – President and Governor greet U.S. Jews as Rosh Ha-Shanah is observed in Israel and Moscow.
- Oct 4🚀 New Submarine Launched – The U.S. Navy launches the Theodore Roosevelt, a Polaris carrier submarine, enhancing its nuclear capabilities.
- Oct 5🌕 Soviet Moon Mission – Soviet satellite expected to orbit the moon today, potentially transmitting images of the far side, marking a significant achievement in space exploration.
- Oct 6🌕 Satellite Moon Peek – Satellite races against darkness to observe the far side of the Moon as lunar night begins to fall.
- Oct 7🌕 Satellite Rounding Moon – A satellite approaches the moon, expected to send data on the far side. Closest approach recorded at 4,375 miles.
- Oct 8📈 London Stocks Surge – London stocks see a sharp rise, with the Industrial Share Average soaring 4.1 points ahead of Election Day.
- Oct 9🏊 Swimming Records Set – Americans set 12 swimming records while Australians claimed 9, marking a significant achievement in global sports.
- Oct 10🔬 Radar Pioneer Dies – Sir Henry Tizard, a key figure in radar development, has passed away, leaving a significant legacy in British science.
- Oct 11🔬 New Test Reactor Starts – World's first boiling heavy water reactor begins operation in Norway, capable of producing 20,000 kilowatts.
- Oct 12✝️ Mother Seton Canonization – Catholics celebrate the potential canonization of Mother Seton, marking a significant step in her path to sainthood.
- Oct 13🚀 Space Study Gains Momentum – Scientists report advancements in space research, including gliders and power plants for interplanetary travel.
- Oct 14🔬 Eisenhower's Global Aid Plan – President Eisenhower urges free nations to join a global aid initiative for less-privileged countries during a speech in Abilene.
- Oct 15🔬 NATO Strength Increase – A Senate report recommends a substantial increase in NATO's nuclear and conventional military strength.
- Oct 16📈 Soviet Economic Data – Soviet Union publishes a comprehensive 960-page handbook detailing economic statistics for 1958, with some data remaining classified.
- Oct 17🌍 Child's Charter Drafted – A draft for a Child's Charter emphasizing the right to education is created in the United Nations, highlighting global educational rights.
- Oct 18🏛️ Greece Unearths Temple – Significant progress made at Dodona, an ancient site, expected to attract tourists and boost local economy.
- Oct 19🌌 Far Side Filmed – Moscow reports successful filming of the far side of the moon by a rocket, with data to be publicized soon.
- Oct 20🌍 Jews Resettle in Brazil – Egyptian Jews find refuge in Brazil after the Suez Crisis, marking a new beginning for the group.
- Oct 21🏛️ Guggenheim Museum Opens – The Guggenheim Museum, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, opens on Fifth Avenue, sparking ongoing debate about its design.
- Oct 22🔬 Hypnosis Shown to Doctors – Techniques of hypnosis demonstrated to doctors, highlighting its potential in pain management and the patient's role.
- Oct 23🌍 Budapest Revolt Honored – U.S. State Department commemorates the Budapest rebels of '56, condemning Soviet suppression of the uprising.
- Oct 24🕊️ U.S.-Soviet Arms Accord – U.S. and Soviet representatives near agreement on arms resolution at the U.N., signaling potential disarmament discussions.
- Oct 25🗳️ Iceland Elects Parliament – Iceland begins a two-day election for a new parliament, with pro-U.S. Independents expected to take the lead.
- Oct 26🌍 River Trip Amity – Foreign leaders from France and Spain embark on a symbolic flotilla trip across the Pyrenees to promote friendship.
- Oct 27🌕 Moon's Far Side Revealed – Soviet rocket captures first images of the moon's far side, showing fewer craters than the visible side, with areas named.
- Oct 28🌕 Soviet Moon Image – Soviet Union releases first images of the Moon, revealing fewer maria on the far side, puzzling U.S. astronomers.
- Oct 29🎈 Space Balloon Test – Thousands watch the test flight of a space balloon, marking a significant moment in aerospace exploration.
- Oct 30🌪️ Hurricane Devastates Mexico – 1,000 feared dead in Mexico due to hurricane and flooding; three U.S. women reported lost at sea while fleeing the storm.
- Oct 31🔭 Soviet Telescope Largest – Russian astronomers claim their new telescope is the biggest, revealing new data on active moon volcanoes.
Happy Birthday! 1959 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1959 in real headlines. See the 1959 book →
Born in October? Pick the day
Every birthday in October has its own On This Day in Headlines book: