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Major Events of November 1958: Key Historical Moments from the Month

Each month is marked by defining moments that shape the course of history. Whether through political shifts, cultural movements, or world-changing events, these periods leave a lasting impression. Dive into the most important events from November 1958 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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Major Events of November 1958: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Nov 1958 UNESCO World Heritage Centre Inauguration: On November 1st, 1958, the UNESCO World Heritage Centre was officially inaugurated in Paris, marking a significant milestone in global cultural preservation and international cooperation. The new building symbolized UNESCO's commitment to protecting and celebrating the world's most important cultural and natural heritage sites.
  • 02 Nov 1958 Balfour Declaration Issued: The British government issued the landmark Balfour Declaration, expressing official support for establishing a Jewish national home in Palestine. This historic document balanced the aspiration for a Jewish homeland with a commitment to protecting the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities, laying groundwork for future Middle Eastern geopolitical dynamics.
  • 03 Nov 1958 Cuban Presidential Election: Andrés Rivero Agüero was elected President of Cuba, representing the Progressive Action Party led by incumbent President Fulgencio Batista. He secured a decisive victory with over 70 percent of the popular vote, reflecting the political landscape of pre-revolutionary Cuba.
  • 04 Nov 1958 Pope John XXIII Coronation: Angelo G. Roncalli is crowned as Pope John XXIII, becoming the head of the Roman Catholic Church and later known for his significant role in the Second Vatican Council.
  • 05 Nov 1958 UNESCO World Heritage Centre Building Inaugurated: The new UNESCO building, housing the World Heritage Centre, was officially inaugurated in Paris, symbolizing international cultural cooperation and preservation efforts.
  • 06 Nov 1958 Belgium Government Formation: A new Belgian government is formed under the leadership of Prime Ministers Eyskens and Lilar, representing a period of political transition and coalition-building in post-World War II Belgium.
  • 07 Nov 1958 Military Coup in Sudan: On November 7, 1958, General Ibrahim Abboud led a military coup d'état in Sudan at the request of Prime Minister Abdallah Khalil. Following the coup, Abboud declared himself President of Sudan, while Khalil was appointed as Minister of Defense. This event marked a significant political transition in Sudan's governance, shifting power through military intervention.
  • 08 Nov 1958 Maria Golovin Broadway Production Closes: The theatrical production of 'Maria Golovin' concluded its brief run at the Martin Beck Theater in New York City after just five performances on November 8, 1958. This short-lived production likely represents an interesting moment in Broadway theater history, highlighting the challenges of staging new theatrical works.
  • 09 Nov 1958 Mysterious Disappearance of ARTOP Martin PBM-5 Mariner: On November 9, 1958, an Aero-Topográfica (ARTOP) Martin PBM-5 Mariner flying boat vanished during a flight, resulting in the presumed loss of all 36 people aboard. The aircraft, a large maritime patrol and rescue seaplane, disappeared under unexplained circumstances, leaving no immediate trace or clear explanation for its disappearance. This incident represents a significant aviation mystery of the late 1950s, highlighting the inherent risks of long-distance maritime flights during that era.
  • 10 Nov 1958 Birth of Bossa Nova: A pivotal moment in Brazilian music history occurred when João Gilberto recorded 'Chega de Saudade', marking the official birth of Bossa Nova. This innovative musical style blended traditional samba rhythms with jazz influences, creating a sophisticated and smooth sound that would later influence global music.
  • 11 Nov 1958 First Unrelated Bone Marrow Transplant in Medical History: Dr. Georges Mathé, a pioneering French oncologist and surgeon, performed the groundbreaking first bone marrow transplant to a human recipient from an unrelated donor in Paris. This medical milestone represented a significant advancement in treating blood disorders and cancer, potentially offering hope to patients without compatible family donors.
  • 12 Nov 1958 Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland Elections: Elections were held in the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland for 52 of the 59 seats in the Federal Parliament. The seats were distributed among Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia), and Nyasaland (now Malawi). With only 83,643 white European voters participating out of 88,314 eligible voters, Prime Minister Roy Welensky's United Federal Party secured a decisive victory, winning 46 of the 59 seats, reflecting the complex racial political dynamics of the time.
  • 13 Nov 1958 Continental League Baseball Proposal Announced: New York City Mayor Robert Wagner publicly announced plans to establish a new professional baseball league called the Continental League. This proposed league was part of a significant effort to expand professional baseball in the United States during the late 1950s, challenging the existing Major League Baseball structure and potentially creating new opportunities for teams and players.
  • 14 Nov 1958 Election of Spyridon Abou Rjaileh as Greek Orthodox Patriarch: On November 14, 1958, Spyridon Abou Rjaileh was elected as the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch, succeeding the previous incumbent. Also known as Metropolitan Theodosius, his election marked an important moment in the ecclesiastical leadership of the Greek Orthodox Church in the Middle Eastern region.
  • 15 Nov 1958 Thailand's Authoritarian Proclamation: Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat, Thailand's military dictator, issued Proclamation No. 21 on November 15, 1958, empowering the government to detain 'nonconformist' young people under the pretext of removing societal threats, demonstrating the regime's strict control and suppression of dissent.
  • 16 Nov 1958 Hungarian Parliamentary Referendum: On November 16, 1958, Hungary conducted a unique political referendum involving a yes/no vote for the 338-member Országgyűlés (National Assembly). This vote was likely conducted under the influence of the Soviet-controlled government, reflecting the political dynamics of Hungary during the Cold War era.
  • 17 Nov 1958 Military Coup in Sudan: General Ibrahim Abboud led a military coup in Sudan at the request of Prime Minister Abdallah Khalil. Abboud immediately declared himself President of Sudan, with Khalil becoming Minister of Defense, fundamentally altering the country's political leadership.
  • 18 Nov 1958 Military Coup in Sudan: Ibrahim Ibboud Becomes Prime Minister: Lt. General Ibrahim Ibboud assumes the role of prime minister in Sudan, marking a significant political transition. The Egyptian government provides diplomatic recognition to the new military government on November 18, 1958.
  • 19 Nov 1958 U.S. Military Personnel Reduction Begins: The U.S. Department of Defense initiated a strategic downsizing of its armed forces, targeting the reduction of its 2.6-million member military personnel. This marked a significant shift in post-World War II military personnel management and resource allocation.
  • 20 Nov 1958 Founding of The Jim Henson Company: On November 20, 1958, Jim and Jane Henson officially established Muppets, Inc., which would later become the renowned Jim Henson Company. This groundbreaking entertainment production company would go on to revolutionize puppetry and children's television, creating iconic characters like Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, and the entire Muppets franchise. The company's innovative approach to storytelling and character design would influence generations of performers, animators, and media creators.
  • 21 Nov 1958 Founding of Universidad de Oriente in Venezuela: The Universidad de Oriente Venezuela was officially established by Decree Law No. 459, with the primary mission of providing higher education to students in eastern Venezuela. This institution would play a crucial role in expanding educational opportunities in the region.
  • 22 Nov 1958 Australian Federal Election of 1958: The Menzies Liberal/Country Coalition Government was re-elected for a fifth consecutive term, securing a slightly increased majority. This election was historically significant as it marked the first time television was used as a medium for political communication in Australia, representing a pivotal moment in electoral campaigning and media engagement.
  • 23 Nov 1958 "Have Gun - Will Travel" Radio Drama Premiere: On November 23, 1958, the radio version of the popular Western series "Have Gun - Will Travel" premiered, marking a significant moment in the history of radio entertainment. This broadcast was notable for being one of the last dramatic radio programs to air on commercial radio, symbolizing the declining era of radio drama as television began to dominate entertainment media. While most commercial radio stations would transition to music and talk formats, some National Public Radio (NPR) stations would continue to preserve the tradition of radio dramas in the coming decades.
  • 24 Nov 1958 Mali Gains Autonomy from France: On November 24, 1958, Mali became an autonomous state within the French Community, marking a significant step in its path towards independence. This event was part of the broader decolonization process in French West Africa during the late 1950s.
  • 25 Nov 1958 Senegal Gains Autonomy from France: On November 25, 1958, Senegal became an autonomous state within the French Community, marking a significant step in its journey towards independence. This transition represented a pivotal moment in the decolonization process of French West Africa, where territories were granted increasing levels of self-governance.
  • 26 Nov 1958 Uneventful Day in Global History: While no significant documented historical events were recorded for November 26, 1958, this date falls within the late 1950s, a period marked by Cold War tensions, technological advancements, and significant social transformations.
  • 27 Nov 1958 Soviet Ultimatum on Berlin: Simultaneously with abrogating war-time control agreements, the Soviet Union issued a provocative ultimatum to Western powers, demanding their withdrawal from West Berlin within six months. The USSR threatened to sign a separate peace treaty with East Germany (GDR) and transfer Soviet control rights to Berlin, escalating Cold War tensions and setting the stage for potential conflict over the divided city.
  • 28 Nov 1958 First Successful Flight of SM-65 Atlas ICBM: The United States achieved a significant milestone in military technology with the first successful flight of the SM-65 Atlas, the world's first operational intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). This breakthrough represented a major advancement in strategic defense capabilities during the Cold War era, marking a pivotal moment in aerospace and military engineering.
  • 29 Nov 1958 Argentine Government Suppresses Railway Workers' Strike: The Argentine government forcefully ended a nationwide railway workers' strike by arresting approximately 1,000 workers, demonstrating the government's hard-line approach to labor disputes.
  • 30 Nov 1958 Our Lady of the Angels School Fire: A devastating fire at Our Lady of the Angels School in Chicago resulted in the tragic deaths of at least 90 students and three nuns, marking one of the deadliest school fires in U.S. history. The catastrophic event led to significant improvements in fire safety regulations for schools nationwide.