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Major Events of October 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 October 1958 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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

  • 01 Oct 1958 NASA Established, Replacing NACA: The National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) was officially replaced by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), marking a pivotal moment in the United States' space exploration and scientific research capabilities.
  • 02 Oct 1958 Guinea's Independence from France: Guinea officially declared its independence from France on October 2, 1958, becoming the first French colonial territory in West Africa to break away from French colonial rule. This declaration came after a nationwide referendum in which Guinean citizens overwhelmingly rejected France's proposal for a semi-autonomous membership in the French West African Community.
  • 03 Oct 1958 NASA Establishment Period: On October 3, 1958, the United States was in the midst of significant aerospace developments. While no specific singular event is documented for this exact date, this period marked the early days of NASA's formation, which had officially been established on July 29, 1958, just months earlier. The creation of NASA was a direct response to the Soviet Union's successful launch of Sputnik 1 in 1957, signaling the intensification of the Space Race during the Cold War era.
  • 04 Oct 1958 Adoption of the French Constitution: The Fifth Republic of France adopts its new constitution, marking a significant political transformation in French governance. This constitution established a stronger presidential system and fundamentally reshaped the political structure of France.
  • 05 Oct 1958 Bernie Mac Birth: Bernie Mac, a renowned American actor and comedian, was born on this date. He would later become a prominent figure in comedy and film, known for his distinctive comedic style and memorable performances.
  • 06 Oct 1958 USS Seawolfe Sets Underwater Endurance Record: The USS Seawolfe, a pioneering United States nuclear submarine, achieved a remarkable milestone by remaining submerged for an unprecedented 60 days beneath the polar regions. This achievement demonstrated the advanced capabilities of nuclear submarine technology during the Cold War era, showcasing the United States Navy's technological prowess and strategic maritime capabilities.
  • 07 Oct 1958 Pakistan Suspends Constitution and Imposes Martial Law: President Iskander Mirza, with the support of General Ayub Khan and the military, suspended the 1956 constitution, imposed martial law, and canceled the elections that were scheduled for January 1959, fundamentally altering Pakistan's democratic trajectory.
  • 08 Oct 1958 First Transatlantic Passenger Jet Service: Pan Am's Boeing 707 inaugurated the first scheduled non-stop transatlantic passenger jet service, flying from New York's Idlewild Airport (now JFK) to Paris. This groundbreaking flight dramatically reduced travel time between North America and Europe, marking a pivotal moment in commercial aviation history.
  • 09 Oct 1958 Death of Pope Pius XII: Pope Pius XII passed away after serving 19 years as the head of the Catholic Church, marking the end of a significant papal tenure. His papacy spanned a tumultuous period including World War II and the early years of the Cold War.
  • 10 Oct 1958 Pioneer 1: First US Lunar Space Probe Launch: On October 10, 1958, NASA launched Pioneer 1, an early lunar exploration spacecraft. The probe reached an impressive altitude of 113,810 kilometers before falling back to Earth, marking a significant milestone in the United States' initial attempts at lunar exploration during the early Space Race.
  • 11 Oct 1958 NASA's Pioneer 1 Space Probe Launch: NASA launched Pioneer 1, its first space probe, which was an early attempt to explore lunar and interplanetary space. Although the probe did not achieve a stable orbit, it reached an impressive altitude of 113,810 kilometers before falling back to Earth and burning up during re-entry.
  • 12 Oct 1958 Temple Bombing in Atlanta: On October 12, 1958, a significant act of antisemitic terrorism occurred when fifty sticks of dynamite were detonated at the Hebrew Benevolent Congregation, Atlanta's oldest and most prominent synagogue. While the sanctuary remained largely intact, other parts of the building suffered severe damage. Remarkably, no individuals were injured or killed, but the bombing profoundly impacted Atlanta's social fabric. Mayor William B. Hartsfield and Atlanta Constitution editor Ralph McGill swiftly condemned the attack, challenging the city's self-proclaimed image as 'the City Too Busy to Hate'.
  • 13 Oct 1958 Burial of Pope Pius XII: The funeral of Pope Pius XII took place on the 41st anniversary of the famous 'Miracle of the Sun' at Fatima, marking the end of his significant papal tenure. Pope Pius XII, who led the Catholic Church during World War II and the early Cold War period, was laid to rest with traditional Vatican ceremonies.
  • 14 Oct 1958 DC Bar Association Breaks Racial Barrier: The District of Columbia's Bar Association votes to accept African-American attorneys as members, representing a pivotal moment in breaking down racial segregation in the legal profession.
  • 15 Oct 1958 First Unrelated Bone Marrow Transplant: On October 15, 1958, medical history was made when Radojko Maksic became the first person to successfully receive a bone marrow graft from an unrelated donor. This groundbreaking medical procedure occurred after Maksic was accidentally exposed to a lethal dose of radiation, highlighting both the potential dangers of radiation and the emerging medical techniques to counteract such exposure.
  • 16 Oct 1958 Blue Peter First Broadcast: The iconic British children's television programme 'Blue Peter' made its debut on BBC Television. This groundbreaking show would go on to become the longest-running children's TV show in the world, known for its educational content, creative segments, and famous 'Blue Peter badges' awarded to children for outstanding achievements.
  • 17 Oct 1958 Deadly Aeroflot Tupolev Tu-104 Crash: A catastrophic aviation disaster occurred when an Aeroflot Tupolev Tu-104 jet airliner crashed while transporting diplomats from the People's Republic of China to Moscow, resulting in the tragic loss of all 80 persons aboard. The incident highlighted the significant aviation safety challenges of the late 1950s Cold War era.
  • 18 Oct 1958 First Interactive Computer Game: Tennis for Two: William Higinbotham, a physicist at Brookhaven National Laboratory, created 'Tennis for Two', a groundbreaking interactive electronic game displayed on an oscilloscope. This pioneering video game simulated a tennis match using a side-view perspective and analog computer controls, marking a significant milestone in the early history of digital entertainment and interactive computing.
  • 19 Oct 1958 Mike Hawthorn Wins 1958 Formula One World Championship: Mike Hawthorn of Great Britain clinched the 1958 Formula One World Championship in a remarkable season, demonstrating exceptional consistency despite winning only one race out of eleven. His strategic performance and accumulated points throughout the season secured him the prestigious title, making him the first British driver to win the Formula One World Championship.
  • 20 Oct 1958 Little Rock Private School Corporation: Segregation Response: The Little Rock Private School Corporation was established by white supporters of racial segregation in Arkansas as a direct response to school integration efforts, representing a significant moment in the ongoing civil rights struggle in the United States.
  • 21 Oct 1958 Women Admitted to British House of Lords: The Life Peerages Act of 1958 marked a historic milestone by entitling women to sit in the British House of Lords for the first time. Baroness Swanborough (Stella Isaacs, Marchioness of Reading) and Baroness Wooton (Barbara Wooton) became the first women to take their seats, breaking centuries of male-only parliamentary tradition.
  • 22 Oct 1958 No Significant Event Recorded: After thorough research, no notable historical event was found specifically for October 22, 1958. This date appears to be a placeholder or requires further investigation.
  • 23 Oct 1958 Springhill Mining Disaster: A catastrophic mining accident in Springhill, Nova Scotia, Canada, resulted in a tragic underground earthquake that trapped 174 miners in the No. 2 colliery, which was the deepest coal mine in North America at the time. By November 1, international rescue efforts had saved 99 miners, but 75 lost their lives in this devastating incident.
  • 24 Oct 1958 USSR Provides Financial Support for Aswan Dam Construction: The Soviet Union extended a significant financial loan of 400 million rubles to Egypt to support the construction of the Aswan High Dam, a critical infrastructure project that would transform Egypt's agricultural and economic landscape. This loan represented a strategic geopolitical move during the Cold War, demonstrating Soviet support for Egypt and its President Gamal Abdel Nasser's modernization efforts.
  • 25 Oct 1958 Youth March for Integrated Schools in Washington, D.C.: On October 25, 1958, a significant civil rights demonstration took place in Washington, D.C., known as the Youth March for Integrated Schools. Young students and activists gathered to peacefully protest racial segregation in the American education system and demand equal educational opportunities for African American students. The march was a powerful symbolic moment during the early years of the Civil Rights Movement, highlighting the grassroots efforts of youth to challenge systemic racial discrimination in schools.
  • 26 Oct 1958 First Transatlantic Jet Passenger Flight: Pan American Airways (PanAm) successfully completed the first transatlantic jet passenger flight using a Boeing 707, traveling from New York to Paris, marking a significant milestone in commercial aviation history.
  • 27 Oct 1958 Boris Pasternak Nobel Prize: Boris Pasternak was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, but was forced to reject it due to intense pressure and opposition from the Soviet government, highlighting the cultural suppression of the era.
  • 28 Oct 1958 Election of Pope John XXIII: Cardinal Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli was elected as the head of the Catholic Church, becoming Pope John XXIII. His election marked a significant moment in Vatican history, as he was known for his progressive and conciliatory approach to global religious and social issues.
  • 29 Oct 1958 Pasternak Refuses Nobel Prize: Soviet Russian author Boris Pasternak dramatically refuses the Nobel Prize for Literature under intense political pressure from the Soviet regime. His novel 'Dr. Zhivago', which was critical of the Soviet system, had already caused significant controversy, leading to his public rejection of the prestigious award to protect himself and his family from potential persecution.
  • 31 Oct 1958 Billboard Hot 100 Number One Hit: 'It's All In The Game': On October 31, 1958, Tommy Edwards' song 'It's All In The Game' topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart for the week spanning October 27th to November 2nd. The song, originally a poem written in 1912 by Charles Dawes (who later became Vice President of the United States), was set to music and became a significant hit of the late 1950s.