August 1959 calendar
Learn the most interesting events and historical facts that happened in August 1959.
The US president was Dwight D. Eisenhower (Republican), the UK Prime Minister was Harold Macmillan (Conservative), Pope John XXIII was leading the Catholic Church.
But much more happened on August 1959: find out below
Historical Events
Which were the important events of August 1959?
Events
- 01 Aug 1959 Pope John XXIII publishes encyclical Sacerdotii nostri primordia
- 02 Aug 1959 41st PGA Championship: Bob Rosburg shoots a 277 at Minneapolis Golf Club
- 03 Aug 1959 27th All Star Baseball Game: AL wins 5-3 at Memorial Coliseum, LA
- 04 Aug 1959 Billy Barnes Revue opens at John Golden Theater NYC for 87 performances
- 05 Aug 1959 42.4 cm rainfall in Decatur Co, Iowa (state record)
- 07 Aug 1959 Explorer 6 transmits first TV photo of Earth from space.
- 08 Aug 1959 A flood in Taiwan kills 2,000.
- 12 Aug 1959 Progressive Party under John Steytler forms in South Africa
- 13 Aug 1959 Military satellite Discoverer 5 launched (into polar orbit)
- 14 Aug 1959 26th NFL Chicago All-Star Game: Baltimore 29, All-Stars 0 (70,000)
- 15 Aug 1959 Cyprus gains independence.
- 16 Aug 1959 Betsy Rawls wins LPGA Seattle Golf Open
- 17 Aug 1959 7.1 quake strikes Yellowstone National Park
- 19 Aug 1959 Doctor X beats Wilber Snyder in Omaha, to become NWA wrestling champ
- 20 Aug 1959 Belgium shortens conscription to 12 months
- 21 Aug 1959 United States President Dwight D. Eisenhower signs an executive order proclaiming Hawaii the 50th state of the union. Hawaii's admission is currently commemorated by Hawaii Admission Day.
- 22 Aug 1959 Cin Red Frank Robinson hits 3 consecutive HRs
- 23 Aug 1959 Beverly Hanson wins LPGA Spokane Golf Open
- 24 Aug 1959 England complete 5-0 series drubbing of India
- 26 Aug 1959 The original Mini designed by Sir Alec Issigonis is launched.
- 31 Aug 1959 48th Davis Cup: Australia beats USA in New York (3-2)
- 03 Aug 1959 Portugal's state police force PIDE fires upon striking workers in Bissau, Portuguese Guinea, killing over 50 people.
Famous Birthday
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Famous Deaths
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Music charts
Which were the top hits in August 1959?
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Top #5 songs in the USA
- Paul Anka - Lonely Boy
- Elvis Presley - A Big Hunk O' Love
- The Browns - The Three Bells
- Johnny Horton - The Battle Of New Orleans
- The Drifters - There Goes My Baby
Top #5 songs in the UK
- Bobby Darin - Dream Lover
- Cliff Richard & The Drifters - Living Doll
- Marty Wilde - A Teenager In Love
- Lonnie Donegan - Battle Of New Orleans
- Russ Conway - Roulette
Movies
Which were the most popular Movies released in that month?
Books
Which were the most popular books released in August 1959?
The Light Infantry Ball
By: Hamilton Basso
Hamilton Basso, The Light Infantry Ball 1959 1st edition. Hardcover, 476 pages. Published by Doubleday & Company.
Nine Coaches Waiting
By: Mary Stewart
In this haunting suspense novel, a governess at a French chateau discovers a plot to end her young pupil's life.
The Great Imposter
By: Robert Crichton
This book details the incredible careers of some of the most outrageous imposters of our time.
The Ugly American
By: William J. Lederer and Eugene Burdick
This multi-million-copy bestseller is the one that gave rise to the term "tragic American blunders abroad". The episode that gives the book its name is Homer Atkins. He's a simple and plain-spoken man who was sent by the U.S.
The Years With Ross
By: James Thurber
Harold Ross was America's most influential literary magazine and introduced America to many exciting talents, such as Robert Benchley and Alexander Woolcott.