December 1959 calendar
Learn the most interesting events and historical facts that happened in December 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 December 1959: find out below
Historical Events
Which were the important events of December 1959?
Events
- 01 Dec 1959 25th Heisman Trophy Award: Billy Cannon, LSU (HB).
- 02 Dec 1959 Malpasset dam collapses destroying French Riviera town of Frejus.
- 03 Dec 1959 State of emergency on Cyprus ends.
- 04 Dec 1959 A monkey returns to Earth safely, after being launched 55 miles high into outer space by the United States space program.
- 05 Dec 1959 Intikhab Alam bowls Colin McDonald with first ball in Tests.
- 07 Dec 1959 Saratoga opens at Winter Garden Theater NYC for 80 performances
- 08 Dec 1959 Dom Mintoff demands independence for Malta.
- 13 Dec 1959 Archbishop Makarios III becomes the first President of Cyprus.
- 14 Dec 1959 J B Jordan in F-104C sets world altitude record, 31,513 metres.
- 15 Dec 1959 Everly Brothers record Let It Be Me
- 16 Dec 1959 Snow falling in Lowarai Pass, West Pakistan, kills 48.
- 17 Dec 1959 On The Beach, is 1st film to premiere on both sides of Iron Curtain
- 18 Dec 1959 Sammy Baugh named first coach of New York Titans (AFL).
- 20 Dec 1959 Jasu Patel takes 9-69, India versus Australia at Kanpur.
- 21 Dec 1959 10th largest snowfall in NYC history (13.7)
- 22 Dec 1959 Continental League awards its last franchise to Dallas-Fort Worth.
- 25 Dec 1959 A synagogue in Cologne Germany desecrated with swatstikas
- 27 Dec 1959 Baltimore Colts beat the New York Giants 31-16 in NFL championship game
- 29 Dec 1959 Physicist Richard Feynman gives a speech entitled ''There's Plenty of Room at the Bottom'', which is regarded as the birth of nanotechnology; the Lisbon Metro begins operation.
- 30 Dec 1959 George Washington, 1st ballistic missile sub commissioned
Famous Birthday
![Patricia Clarkson]()
- See more
Famous Deaths
- See more
Music charts
Which were the top hits in December 1959?
Unlimited, ad-free streaming of over a million songs, 30 day Free Trial
Top #5 songs in the USA
- Bobby Darin - Mack The Knife
- Guy Mitchell - Heartaches By The Number
- Frankie Avalon - Why
- Della Reese - Don't You Know
- The Fleetwoods - Mr. Blue
Top #5 songs in the UK
- Adam Faith - What Do You Want?
- Bobby Darin - Mack The Knife
- Emile Ford & The Checkmates - What Do You Want To Make Those Eyes At Me For?
- Cliff Richard & The Shadows - Travellin' Light
- Neil Sedaka - Oh Carol
Movies
Which were the most popular Movies released in that month?
Books
Which were the most popular books released in December 1959?
The Joy Of Music
By: Leonard Bernstein
(Amadeus). This classic book is Bernstein's best collection of conversations about the meaning and wonder music. Music lovers who want to live the music they love will find this book invaluable.
The Secret World Of Kids
By: Art Linkletter
Art Linkletter, an adopted child from Moose Jaw (Saskatchewan), who rose to the top of the entertainment ladder, shares his secret formula for family fun.
The Breaking Point
By: Daphne du Maurier
"The attraction of romance and the clashing of highly-charged emotions." --New York Herald TribuneIn this collection, Daphne du Maurier presents suspenseful stories in which fantasies are revealed, as well as murderous dreams and forgotten worlds.
Return To Peyton Place
By: Grace Metalious
Grace Metalious published Peyton Place in 1956. This novel, which unbuttoned the strict New England of popular imagination, revolutionized the publishing industry and topped bestseller lists for more that a decade.