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

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

  • 01 Mar 1959 Archbishop Makarios III Returns from Exile: Archbishop Makarios III returned to Cyprus after being released from exile in the Seychelles by British authorities. His return was contingent upon agreeing to abandon the 'enosis' movement, which sought to unite Cyprus with Greek territory. This marked a significant moment in Cyprus's political history, symbolizing a potential de-escalation of tensions between Cyprus, Britain, and Greece.
  • 02 Mar 1959 Miles Davis Records Kind of Blue: Miles Davis conducted the first recording session for his groundbreaking jazz album 'Kind of Blue' at Columbia 30th Street Studio in New York City. This album would become one of the most influential and best-selling jazz records of all time, featuring innovative modal jazz techniques.
  • 03 Mar 1959 Pioneer 4 Launches into Solar Orbit: The United States successfully launched Pioneer 4, the first US space probe to enter solar orbit, marking a significant milestone in early space exploration. This mission represented an important achievement in the nascent space race and demonstrated America's growing technological capabilities in astronomical research.
  • 04 Mar 1959 Pioneer 4 Lunar Mission: The United States launched Pioneer 4, which became the second artificial object to pass the Moon and enter a solar orbit. This mission marked a significant milestone in early space exploration, demonstrating the U.S. capability to send a spacecraft beyond Earth's immediate vicinity during the Space Race.
  • 05 Mar 1959 Arkansas Reform School Fire Tragedy: On March 5, 1959, a horrific fire at a segregated 'reform' school in Arkansas resulted in the deaths of 21 Black teenagers. The victims were locked inside their dormitory, highlighting the systemic racism, neglect, and dangerous conditions prevalent in segregated institutions during the late 1950s. This tragic event exposed the severe human rights violations and institutional racism in the American education and juvenile justice systems.
  • 06 Mar 1959 Castro Government Reduces Cuban Rents: As part of early revolutionary economic reforms, the Castro government mandated a 50% reduction in rental prices across Cuba, significantly impacting housing affordability.
  • 07 Mar 1959 Cold War Diplomatic Commentary: Dean Acheson, former U.S. Secretary of State, publishes a critical article in The Saturday Evening Post titled 'Wishing Won't Hold Berlin', criticizing the Eisenhower administration's passive response to Soviet pressure regarding Berlin's status.
  • 08 Mar 1959 Khrushchev's Cold War Warning: Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev delivers a stark warning to the West about the potential catastrophic consequences of a limited war over Berlin, emphasizing the nuclear threat during the Cold War.
  • 09 Mar 1959 Barbie Doll Makes Historic Debut: Mattel introduces the first Barbie doll, named 'Barbie Millicent Roberts', at the American Toy Fair in New York City. Standing eleven inches tall, this groundbreaking doll is the first mass-produced toy with adult features in the United States, revolutionizing the toy industry.
  • 10 Mar 1959 1959 Tibetan Uprising: On March 10, 1959, a significant revolt erupted in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, as thousands of Tibetans rose up in protest against the Chinese occupation. The uprising was driven by deep-seated tensions, fears of the Dalai Lama's potential arrest, and widespread anti-Chinese sentiment. The protests marked a critical moment in Tibetan resistance against Chinese control, ultimately leading to a brutal military crackdown by the Chinese army.
  • 11 Mar 1959 Project Mercury Test Simulation: At Wallops Island, NASA's Langley Pilotless Aircraft Research Division conducted the first full-scale Project Mercury test, simulating a pad-abort scenario. This critical test was part of the United States' early space exploration efforts and preparation for human spaceflight.
  • 12 Mar 1959 Hawaii Statehood Approved by US Congress: The United States House of Representatives joined the Senate in approving Hawaii's path to statehood, marking a significant milestone in the territorial expansion of the United States.
  • 13 Mar 1959 UN Votes to End Trusteeship of French Cameroons: The United Nations General Assembly unanimously voted (56-0, with 23 abstentions) to terminate the UN Trusteeship over the French Cameroons, setting a timeline for independence by January 1, 1960. The resolution also planned a plebiscite to determine the political future of the northern and southern regions of the British Cameroons, marking a significant moment in the decolonization process of Africa.
  • 14 Mar 1959 Kathy Hilton Born: Kathy Hilton, an American socialite, philanthropist, and television personality, was born on March 13, 1959, in New York City. She is known for her work in entertainment and her famous daughters Paris and Nicky Hilton.
  • 15 Mar 1959 Louise Suggs Wins LPGA Titleholders Golf Championship: Professional golfer Louise Suggs, one of the founders of the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA), secured victory in the prestigious Titleholders Golf Championship. Her win further solidified her status as a pioneering female athlete in professional golf during the late 1950s.
  • 16 Mar 1959 Birth of Jens Stoltenberg: Jens Stoltenberg was born on March 16, 1959, in Oslo, Norway. He would later become a prominent political figure, serving as Prime Minister of Norway from 2000-2001 and again from 2005-2013. After his national political career, he became Secretary General of NATO in 2014, playing a crucial role in international diplomacy.
  • 17 Mar 1959 Dalai Lama's Dramatic Escape from Tibet: On March 17, 1959, Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, made a perilous journey from Tibet to India, fleeing escalating tensions with Chinese authorities. Wearing a soldier's uniform and carrying a gun, he left the Norbulinka palace at 10 pm, accompanied by his mother and elder sister. This escape was prompted by a revolt in Lhasa and growing fears for his personal safety amid the Chinese occupation of Tibet.
  • 18 Mar 1959 Hawaii Statehood Act Signed: On March 18, 1959, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the Hawaii Admission Act into law, marking a pivotal moment in the territorial expansion of the United States. The bill paved the way for Hawaii to become the 50th state, though the official statehood would not be completed until August 21, 1959. The signing ceremony at the White House was a significant milestone, but additional steps remained, including local elections and the acceptance of the bill's provisions by Hawaiian citizens.
  • 19 Mar 1959 Tibetan Uprising Against Chinese Troops: Intense fighting erupts in Lhasa, Tibet, as Tibetans resist Chinese military forces after the Dalai Lama was ordered to report without his protective bodyguards.
  • 20 Mar 1959 Incident at Lenin's Mausoleum: An unusual security breach occurred at Lenin's Mausoleum in Moscow when an unidentified visitor threw a hammer at Lenin's sarcophagus, successfully breaking the protective glass. The incident raised questions about security protocols at this significant historical site.
  • 21 Mar 1959 NCAA Men's Basketball Championship Final: In a thrilling championship game, the California Golden Bears narrowly defeated the West Virginia Mountaineers with a razor-thin margin of 71-70, securing their victory in the 21st NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. The game was a nail-biting contest that came down to the final moments, showcasing exceptional skill and determination from both teams.
  • 22 Mar 1959 Bostran Era Begins in Arabia Petraea: The province of Arabia Petraea initiated its unique calendar system known as the Bostran era, marking a significant administrative and chronological transition in the region's historical record-keeping.
  • 23 Mar 1959 Lee Harvey Oswald Obtains GED: Lee Harvey Oswald, who would later become infamously known for assassinating President John F. Kennedy, earned his General Educational Development (GED) certificate with a passing score of 77. This educational milestone occurred during his early adulthood, before his subsequent controversial and historically significant actions.
  • 24 Mar 1959 Iraq Withdraws from Baghdad Pact: On March 24, 1959, Iraq officially withdrew from the Baghdad Pact, a strategic defense alliance formed in 1955 to contain Soviet influence in the Middle East. Prime Minister Abdel Karim Kassem announced the country's departure, signaling a significant shift in Iraq's geopolitical alignment during the Cold War era.
  • 25 Mar 1959 Mao Zedong's Shanghai Meeting: Chinese Communist Party leader Mao Zedong delivered remarks at a party meeting in Shanghai, discussing strategic approaches to agricultural and industrial development during a critical period of China's economic transformation.
  • 26 Mar 1959 Death of Raymond Chandler: Raymond Chandler, the influential American novelist known for pioneering the hard-boiled detective fiction genre, passed away on March 26, 1959. Famous for creating iconic detective Philip Marlowe, Chandler significantly shaped 20th-century crime literature.
  • 27 Mar 1959 Neta Moran: Israeli Actress: Neta Moran is an Israeli actress who was born on March 27, 1959. She has been a notable figure in Israeli cinema and television, contributing to the country's performing arts scene during the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
  • 28 Mar 1959 China Dissolves Tibetan Government: Eleven days after the Tibetan uprising, the People's Republic of China officially dissolves Tibet's government and installs the Panchen Lama as a puppet ruler, marking a significant moment in the Sino-Tibetan conflict.
  • 29 Mar 1959 Assassination of Barthélemy Boganda: Barthélemy Boganda, a prominent political leader in the Central African Republic, was killed in a plane crash on March 29, 1959. He was poised to become the country's first President, but his tragic death occurred before he could assume office, significantly impacting the nation's political trajectory.
  • 30 Mar 1959 Dalai Lama Escapes Tibet: Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, fled Tibet for India, marking a significant moment in Tibetan history amid Chinese political oppression. This escape represented a critical turning point in the Tibetan independence movement and highlighted the complex geopolitical tensions between Tibet and China during the Cold War era.
  • 31 Mar 1959 Dalai Lama Seeks Refuge in India: The 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, fled Tibet and was granted political asylum in India after escaping from Communist Chinese control. This marked a significant moment in Tibetan history, symbolizing the ongoing struggle for Tibetan autonomy and religious freedom.