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Major Events of December 1959: 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 December 1959 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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Major Events of December 1959: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Dec 1959 First Color Photograph of Earth from Space: A groundbreaking moment in space exploration: the first color photograph of Earth was received from outer space, offering humanity a stunning and unprecedented view of our planet from beyond its atmosphere.
  • 02 Dec 1959 Malpasset Dam Disaster in France: On December 2, 1959, the Malpasset Dam in southern France catastrophically collapsed, unleashing a massive flood that devastated the town of Frejus. The sudden dam failure resulted in a devastating torrent of water that killed 412 people and caused extensive destruction across the French Riviera region. The disaster was a significant engineering and humanitarian tragedy that highlighted the critical importance of dam safety and structural integrity.
  • 03 Dec 1959 Eisenhower's Diplomatic Goodwill Mission: U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower embarked on a significant diplomatic journey, departing the United States for a nearly three-week 'mission of peace and goodwill', aimed at strengthening international relations during the Cold War era.
  • 04 Dec 1959 First Monkey Space Recovery Mission: On December 4, 1959, the United States space program successfully launched a rhesus monkey named Sam into the mesosphere, reaching an altitude of approximately 55 miles. The mission was a critical milestone in early space exploration, demonstrating the potential for living beings to survive space travel and return safely to Earth. This achievement was an important precursor to human space missions, helping scientists understand the physiological effects of space flight and developing life support systems.
  • 05 Dec 1959 Intikhab Alam's Historic First Test Ball Dismissal: In a memorable moment in cricket history, Pakistani bowler Intikhab Alam achieved the remarkable feat of dismissing Australian batsman Colin McDonald with his very first ball in Test cricket. This rare and dramatic event marked the beginning of Alam's international cricket career.
  • 06 Dec 1959 Stadio San Paolo Opens in Naples: On December 6, 1959, the iconic Stadio San Paolo was inaugurated in the Fuorigrotta district of Naples, Italy. This massive stadium, with an impressive initial capacity of 85,012 spectators, became the home ground for SSC Napoli, one of Italy's most passionate and storied football clubs. The stadium would go on to become a legendary venue, witnessing countless memorable matches and serving as a cauldron of football passion for generations of Neapolitan fans.
  • 07 Dec 1959 Bobby Darin's 'Mack The Knife' Tops Charts: Bobby Darin's iconic song 'Mack The Knife' reached the number 1 position on the US music charts for the week of December 7-13, 1959, marking a significant moment in popular music history.
  • 08 Dec 1959 Khrushchev's Secret Defense Strategy Memo: Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev sent a confidential memorandum to the Soviet Politburo, proposing a significant shift in national defense strategy. The memo emphasized expanding the Soviet nuclear arsenal as a strategic deterrent against potential foreign invasions, reflecting the escalating tensions of the Cold War era.
  • 09 Dec 1959 Eisenhower's Historic Visit to India and Afghanistan: U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower continued his foreign diplomatic tour, receiving an extraordinary welcome in New Delhi with over one million people greeting him. Following this, he traveled to Kabul, Afghanistan, where he met with the King. This visit was particularly significant as no subsequent American President would visit Afghanistan until 47 years later in 2006, highlighting the unique diplomatic relations of that era.
  • 10 Dec 1959 DUPE: US Military Withdrawal from Iceland: The United States completed its military withdrawal from Iceland, marking the end of a significant military presence in the strategically important North Atlantic island nation.
  • 11 Dec 1959 CIA Memo Targeting Fidel Castro: CIA Director Allen Dulles received a top-secret memorandum from J.C. King, Director of the Western Hemisphere Division, which controversially recommended 'thorough consideration' for eliminating Fidel Castro, signaling early covert plans against the Cuban revolutionary leader.
  • 12 Dec 1959 Nigeria's First Democratic Elections: Nigeria held its first democratic elections in preparation for independence from British colonial rule. These elections were a critical milestone in Nigeria's journey towards self-governance, culminating in full independence on October 1, 1960.
  • 13 Dec 1959 Cyprus Gains First President: Archbishop Makarios III becomes the first President of Cyprus, marking a significant milestone in the island nation's political history and transition to independence.
  • 14 Dec 1959 Motown Record Label Founded: Berry Gordy establishes the legendary Motown record label in Detroit, Michigan, which would become a pivotal force in shaping American popular music and launching the careers of numerous iconic artists.
  • 15 Dec 1959 Major Joseph W. Rogers Breaks World Speed Record: Major Joseph W. Rogers became the first person to travel faster than 1,500 miles per hour (2,400 km/h) in an F-106 Delta Dart jet fighter. He set a remarkable world speed record of 1,525.96 mph (2,455.79 km/h), pushing the boundaries of aviation technology and human speed capabilities.
  • 16 Dec 1959 Second City Comedy Troupe Founded: The legendary improvisational comedy troupe Second City was established at 1842 N. Wells Street in Chicago. This groundbreaking comedy institution would go on to launch the careers of numerous famous comedians and significantly influence American comedy and sketch performance.
  • 17 Dec 1959 On the Beach Global Film Premiere: The Stanley Kramer film adaptation of Nevil Shute's post-apocalyptic novel 'On the Beach' premiered simultaneously in 18 cities worldwide, marking a significant moment in international cinema distribution. The film, which depicts the aftermath of a global nuclear war, opened at the Astor Theatre in New York City and was screened across multiple countries, symbolizing a rare cultural exchange during the Cold War era.
  • 18 Dec 1959 Iraqi Territorial Claim Against Iran: Iraqi leader Abd al-Karim Qasim made a provocative diplomatic statement by declaring the Iranian Khūzestān Province as part of Iraqi territory. This unilateral claim heightened tensions between Iraq and Iran, potentially setting the stage for future territorial disputes in the region.
  • 19 Dec 1959 First Liberty Bowl Game: Penn State Defeats Alabama: On December 19, 1959, the inaugural Liberty Bowl football game was played in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) defeating the University of Alabama with a decisive 7-0 victory. This historic sporting event marked the first edition of what would become an annual college football bowl game, showcasing the athletic prowess of two prominent collegiate football programs.
  • 20 Dec 1959 Fatal Bus-Truck Collision in Arizona: A devastating traffic accident near Tucson, Arizona, where a cattle truck collided with a Greyhound Scenicruiser bus, resulting in nine fatalities and 21 injuries, underscoring the potential dangers of road transportation.
  • 21 Dec 1959 Birth of Olympic Sprint Legend: Florence Griffith Joyner, born on this date, would become an iconic American sprinter known for her world records in 100m and 200m, and her Olympic gold medals, leaving an indelible mark on track and field.
  • 22 Dec 1959 Chuck Berry's Mann Act Arrest: Renowned rock and roll musician Chuck Berry was arrested in St. Louis shortly after midnight, following a performance at his Club Bandstand nightclub. He was charged with violating the Mann Act, a federal law prohibiting the transportation of individuals across state lines for immoral purposes, which would significantly impact his career and personal life.
  • 23 Dec 1959 Early Heart Transplant Research at Stanford University: Dr. Richard Lower, a pioneering heart surgeon at Stanford University, conducted groundbreaking research in heart transplantation. This early experimental procedure was a significant milestone in medical science, laying the groundwork for future advancements in cardiac surgery and organ transplantation.
  • 24 Dec 1959 Anti-Semitic Vandalism in Cologne Synagogue: On December 24, 1959, a deeply disturbing act of anti-Semitic vandalism occurred when an unknown perpetrator painted a swastika on the synagogue in Cologne. This incident represented a troubling resurgence of Nazi-era hatred in postwar Germany, symbolizing the ongoing challenges of confronting and healing from the traumatic legacy of the Holocaust. The act shocked the local Jewish community and raised serious concerns about the persistence of anti-Semitic sentiments in German society, just 14 years after the end of World War II.
  • 25 Dec 1959 UN Commander's Cold War Warning: General Carter B. Magruder, Commander of the United Nations Forces in Seoul, South Korea, warns about potential nuclear capabilities of North Korean artillery, highlighting Cold War tensions.
  • 26 Dec 1959 First Expedition to Heritage Mountain Range, Antarctica: On December 26, 1959, an exploratory team successfully reached and visited the Heritage Mountain Range in Antarctica, marking a significant moment in polar geographical exploration. This expedition occurred 12 days after the mountain range was initially sighted by human observers, demonstrating the swift and determined nature of mid-20th century Antarctic research efforts.
  • 27 Dec 1959 NFL Championship: Baltimore Colts Defeat New York Giants: The Baltimore Colts secured a decisive victory over the New York Giants in the 1959 NFL Championship game, winning 31-16. This game represented a significant moment in professional football history, showcasing the Colts' dominance during this era.
  • 28 Dec 1959 Matthew Jaksch Robbery Incident: On December 28, 1959, Matthew Jaksch was the victim of a targeted robbery where two unidentified men stole two valuable relics from him. The circumstances surrounding the theft, including the nature of the relics and the motivation of the perpetrators, remain unclear.
  • 29 Dec 1959 US Nuclear Testing Moratorium Ends: U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower announces that the United States will not extend the voluntary moratorium on nuclear testing, which was set to expire on January 31, 1960. This decision signaled an escalation of Cold War tensions and potential nuclear arms development.
  • 30 Dec 1959 First US Ballistic Missile Submarine Commissioned: The USS George Washington, a groundbreaking naval vessel, was commissioned on December 30, 1959, marking a significant milestone in United States naval and military technology. This submarine represented a major leap forward in strategic nuclear deterrence capabilities, being the first ballistic missile submarine in the US Navy. Equipped with Polaris nuclear missiles, the USS George Washington could launch nuclear weapons from underwater, fundamentally changing naval warfare and Cold War strategic dynamics.
  • 31 Dec 1959 Breakthrough in Plastic Manufacturing Technology: Charles Maillefer patented the barrier screw, a significant innovation in injection molding technology. This invention dramatically improved the quality and precision of plastic product manufacturing by enhancing the mixing and heating processes during injection molding.