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Browse historical records dated to 1959. Records are rendered from the World History Database into this page's initial HTML.
When the Cuban revolution ended in January 1959, Castro appointed Sturgis gambling czar and director of security and intelligence for the air force, in addition to his position as a captain in the 26th of July Brigade
Succeeds Sisavang Vong as King of Laos
McCone transmitted guidance to the AEC after the administration decided how to handle the expiring moratorium and future Geneva negotiations.
Castro signs the First Agrarian Reform Law, which expropriates over 1,000 acres of farmlands & forbids foreign land ownership
Cuba signs an agreement to buy oil from the USSR
Menderes survives an air crash
Lee applied to Albert Schweitzer College in Switzerland for the spring 1960 term, listing philosophy, psychology, ideology, and writing among his interests.
United Press International reporter Aline Mosby interviewed Lee for about two hours regarding his decision to remain in the Soviet Union.
While Kaunda is in prison, Mainza Chona and other nationalists break away from the ANC and, in October 1959, Chona becomes the first President of the United National Independence Party (UNIP), the successor to ZANC
While Kaunda is in prison, Mainza Chona and other nationalists break away from the ANC and, in October 1959, Chona becomes the first President of the United National Independence Party (UNIP), the successor to ZANC
Khrushchev & Eisenhower stated jointly that the most important issue in the world was general disarmament & Berlin to be resolved by negotiation
Completes his sentence for the Mau Mau risings
While Kaunda is in prison, Mainza Chona and other nationalists break away from the ANC and, in October 1959, Chona becomes the first President of the United National Independence Party (UNIP), the successor to ZANC
Arrives for his official American tour and is welcomed by President Eisenhower.
Arrives in Havana after the revolutionary victory.
The IAEA sends preliminary assistance missions to Asian Member States to assess nuclear science, training and equipment needs.
Authorities ban an ABAKO meeting, contributing to riots and accelerating Belgian decolonisation plans.
Ayub Khan establishes the Basic Democracies system of local electoral councils.
Visits Beijing for the tenth anniversary of the People's Republic amid worsening Sino-Soviet relations.
Following his wrist injury, Lee spent three days in Botkinskaya Hospital's psychiatric ward before doctors transferred him to another department.
Cuts income tax, purchase tax & the price of beer & restores investment allowances
Interred at Arlington National Cemetery
Commands rebel forces in Camaguey after victory.
Concludes talks with Eisenhower by affirming that international disputes should be settled through peaceful negotiations.
Holds extensive private and formal talks with Eisenhower on Berlin, disarmament and bilateral relations.
Begins talks with Nikita Khrushchev at Camp David on Berlin and wider East-West tensions.
Agrees with President Eisenhower that negotiations on Berlin should continue without a fixed Soviet deadline.
Castros army rolls victoriously into Havana
Santiago de Cuba surrenders as Batista's regime collapses.
Takes control of Santiago after Batista flees.
Surrenders Santiago without a major fight.
Santiago de Cuba surrenders as Batista's regime collapses.
CIA-related assassination records become part of later investigations.
Appointed Chairman of the Cabinet Committee on price stability for economic growth
Lee wrote the American Embassy requesting revocation of his citizenship after consular officials had delayed his attempted renunciation.
Assumes command of the revolutionary armed forces.
Appointed commander of the La Cabaca Fortress prison
The 4 major western allies agree to attend a summit with Britain as its organiser
Conference votes to initiate an anti-pass law campaign with a pass bonfire 26th June. A conference is held during Durbans anti-pass demonstrations
The conference place at MacMillans instigation. Attended by the Foreign Minister's of Britain, Russia, America & France
Calls for the reform of Clause IV of after the loss of 3 elections in a row
Accepts Wilson's comprimise for Clause IV of the Labour Party for "common ownership"
Gaitskell accepts Wilson's Clause IV reform of the Labour Party for "common ownership". Describes reforming Clause IV as "taking Genesis out of the Bible"
Seeks to unite Indonesia through "Guided Democracy"
Tunisia promulgated its first republican constitution, establishing a presidential system.
Khrushchev & Eisenhower stated jointly that the most important issue in the world was general disarmament & Berlin to be resolved by negotiation
India grants asylum to the Dalai Lama after he flees Tibet following the uprising in Lhasa.
Makes his international debut, against Brazil in front of over 120,000 fans at the Est dio do Maracana
Greaves wins his first England cap against Peru, scoring Englands only goal in a 4-1 defeat. Goes on to play 57 times and score 44 goals for England, five fewer than Bobby Charlton but at a much higher rate, remains third in the all-time list of England goalscorers, behind Charlton and Gary Lineker
Begins a long term as Minister of National Defence
Conference votes to initiate an anti-pass law campaign with a pass bonfire 26th June. A conference is held during Durbans anti-pass demonstrations
Is elected Deputy Leader of the Labour Party.
US refineries in Cuba refuse to process Cuban oil, they are expropriated, & the US breaks off diplomatic relations with the Castro Government. Cuba signs an agreement to buy oil from the USSR
Establishes a 5 yr program for economic development
Bob Dylan graduates Hibbing HS in Minnesota
Calls for the reform of Clause IV of after the loss of 3 elections in a row
Almost doubles his majority to 8,633
Calls for n election to be held Eighth Oct
The Conservatives win 49.4% of votes cast, 365 seats, Labour win 258 seats
During the election coins the phrase, "you have never had it so good"
Elected President of the Republic of Cyprus
Elected President of the Republic of Cyprus
1st elected Member of Parliament for Finchley during the election, has a constituency majority of 16,260
Departs on an eleven-nation goodwill tour intended to strengthen alliances and demonstrate personal diplomacy.
Lee appeared at the American Embassy and declared that he wanted to renounce his United States citizenship.
The Emil Jonsson Government ends, concluding this term as Prime Minister of Iceland.
Enters Havana as Batista's army collapses.
Enters Havana with rebel forces.
Supports creation of EFTA after Britain remains outside the Treaty of Rome framework.
Takes Britain into EFTA
Oswald booked passage from New Orleans to Le Havre aboard the freighter SS Marion Lykes on September 17, 1959.
Summary executions of suspected Batista collaborators and members of the opposition through the "paredones" take place after show trials
Oversees the trial and execution of many people, among whom were former Batista regime officials and members of the "Bureau for the Repression of Communist Activities"
Batista, upon learning that his generals - especially General Cantillo, had visited Castro at the inactive sugar mill, Central Oriente - were negotiating a separate peace with the rebel leader, fled to the Dominican Republic
Moves to Paraguay while evading capture for Nazi war crimes.
Makarios ends his exile & returns to Cyprus
Creation of Fatah
Begins the Fifth Olafur Thors Government and serves as Prime Minister of Iceland.
The achievement marks first escape-velocity probe as an important Russian scientific milestone.
The achievement marks first spacecraft on the moon as an important Russian scientific milestone.
Flees Cuba as the revolution succeeds.
Scores shortly after half-time as Real Madrid secure a fourth consecutive European Cup.
Scores in the opening minute as Real Madrid defeat Reims 2-0 in the European Cup final.
Retains Coventry East at the 1959 general election.
Retains Birmingham Stechford for Labour during another Conservative general election victory.
McCone explained AEC concerns that proposed improvements in detecting underground nuclear tests remained theoretical and required experimental validation.
Alaska becomes the 49th state of the Union
July 22-August 5, visits the Soviet Union & Poland
His government ends in Helsinki, concluding this term as Prime Minister of Finland.
Creates Group 559 to enlarge the Ho Chi Minh Trail into South Vietnam
Creates Group 759 to supply troops & provisions by Sea into South Vietnam
A Marine hardship board recommended approval of Lee's request for early active-duty release because of his mother's claimed dependency.
Ruby visited Havana in 1959 at the invitation of Lewis McWillie, who supervised gambling activities at the Tropicana Hotel; Ruby later described the trip as recreational.
Signs the act providing for Hawaii's admission as a state.
Hawaii formally enters the Union as the fiftieth state during Eisenhower's presidency.
Resigns due to ill health, evidence of bone metastasis after developing colon cancer
Oswald flew to Helsinki on October 9, 1959, after telling British customs officials that he planned to remain in Britain for a week.
Hanoi established the 559th Transportation Group under the command of Colonel (later General) Vo Bam to improve and maintain a transportation system to supply the Vietcong uprising against South Vietnamese Government
Hanoi established the 559th Transportation Group under the command of Colonel (later General) Vo Bam to improve and maintain a transportation system to supply the Vietcong uprising against South Vietnamese Government
Hanoi established the 559th Transportation Group under the command of Colonel (later General) Vo Bam to improve and maintain a transportation system to supply the Vietcong uprising against South Vietnamese Government. Creates Group 559 to enlarge the Ho Chi Minh Trail into South Vietnam
Visits a Hollywood studio during his widely publicized tour of the United States.
Iceland gunboats shoot at British fishing ships
Uses the political crisis after the Leopoldville riots to press Belgium for rapid Congolese independence.
Miro unexpectedly resigns & Castro is sworn in as Prime Minister of Cuba
Cuts income tax, purchase tax & the price of beer & restores investment allowances
Cuba celebrates October 10th as the first declaration of independence after the day Castro and his army enter Havana, January 1, 1959, as "the triumph of the revolution"
Turkey & Greece accept plans for the basis of an independent Cyprus. The basis for Cyprus independence is agreed, Britain can keep its sovereign bases
Turkey & Greece accept plans for the basis of an independent Cyprus. The basis for Cyprus independence is agreed, Britain can keep its sovereign bases
Visits an Iowa farm and studies American maize production during his agricultural tour.
Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev begins an unprecedented visit to the United States.
Debates Vice President Richard Nixon at the American National Exhibition over consumer living standards and rival political systems.
1st unmanned space probe is launched, Luna I
Oswald disembarked at Le Havre on October 8, 1959, and continued his journey toward northern Europe.
Castro signs the First Agrarian Reform Law, which expropriates over 1,000 acres of farmlands & forbids foreign land ownership
Before sailing to Europe, Lee registered at the Liberty Hotel in New Orleans on the evening of September 17.
Directs Luna 1, the first spacecraft to escape Earth's gravitational influence.
The Soviet Union launches Luna 1, the first spacecraft to escape Earth's gravity.
Directs the mission whose probe becomes the first human-made object to reach the Moon.
Luna 2 becomes the first human-made object to reach the surface of the Moon.
Luna 3 photographs the far side of the Moon for the first time.
Leads the spacecraft programme returning the first images of the Moon's far side.
Marine educational testing gave Lee an overall satisfactory rating, with his strongest scores in English composition and physical sciences.
Marries Michiko Shoda
Marries Aleida March a Cuban-born member of the 26th of July movement with whom he had been living since late 1958
Castro flies to Washington DC but was not met by President Eisenhower, who decides to attend a golf tournament rather than meet with the Cuban leader
1st elected Member of Parliament for Finchley during the election, has a constituency majority of 16,260
After leaving the hospital, Lee checked out of the Hotel Berlin and registered at Moscow's Metropole Hotel.
Leads a military-backed caretaker government under constitutional arrangements
Kerensky participates in military leadership debate during his political career.
The British Motor Corporation launches the Mini, produced at Longbridge and Cowley.
Enters Cabinet as Minister of Labour after the Conservative election victory.
Oswald arrived in Moscow on October 16, 1959, and registered at the Hotel Berlin as a student.
After being told to leave Moscow, Oswald cut his left wrist and was taken unconscious to Botkinskaya Hospital.
US refineries in Cuba refuse to process Cuban oil, they are expropriated, & the US breaks off diplomatic relations with the Castro Government
Signs the First Agrarian Reform Law limiting large estates and expropriating land
Castro signs the First Agrarian Reform Law, which expropriates over 1,000 acres of farmlands & forbids foreign land ownership
Nasser's government signs the agreement allocating Nile waters and enabling reservoir construction.
Begins the first visit to the United States by a Soviet leader, meeting President Dwight Eisenhower.
al-Fayez participates in parliamentary reform connected with Jordanian political and historical developments.
Oswald applied for a United States passport on September 4, 1959, while preparing to leave active Marine service.
The achievement marks photography of lunar far side as an important Russian scientific milestone.
Visits Pittsburgh to inspect American industrial facilities before continuing to Camp David.
After Castro's victory, Sturgis held security-related responsibilities in Cuba before his political break with the new government.
Appointed President of the National Council
Appointed President of Venezuela
While Kaunda is in prison, Mainza Chona and other nationalists break away from the ANC and, in October 1959, Chona becomes the first President of the United National Independence Party (UNIP), the successor to ZANC
Habib Bourguiba won Tunisia's first presidential election under the republican constitution.
Becomes prime minister of the new revolutionary government.
Serves briefly as prime minister after the revolution.
Takes office as Prime Minister of Finland and forms a government in Helsinki.
Miro unexpectedly resigns & Castro is sworn in as Prime Minister of Cuba
Appointed Prime Minister of Great Britain, 2nd term
Journalist Priscilla Johnson interviewed Lee at the Metropole Hotel for roughly five hours about his politics, defection, and Soviet citizenship hopes.
Lee was promoted again to private first class effective March 1, 1959, after having previously been reduced in rank.
NASA introduces Carpenter as one of the seven military test pilots selected for Project Mercury.
NASA introduces Cooper as one of the original seven astronauts selected for Project Mercury flight training.
NASA presents Grissom as one of the original seven astronauts chosen to train for Project Mercury missions.
NASA presents Shepard as one of the seven pilots selected for Project Mercury, America's first human spaceflight programme.
NASA names Slayton among the seven original astronauts selected for Project Mercury.
Becomes provisional president after Batista's fall.
The Quarrymen are renamed Johnny and the Moondogs and fail an audition for "talent-show" Carroll Levis at Manchester Hippodrome
The Quarrymen are renamed Johnny and the Moondogs and fail an audition for "talent-show" Carroll Levis at Manchester Hippodrome
The Quarrymen are renamed Johnny and the Moondogs and fail an audition for "talent-show" Carroll Levis at Manchester Hippodrome
Receives his major break as Rowdy Yates in the CBS western television series Rawhide.
Debuts on American television as Rowdy Yates when Rawhide begins its CBS run.
Calls for the reform of Clause IV of after the loss of 3 elections in a row
Accepts Wilson's comprimise for Clause IV of the Labour Party for "common ownership"
Castro signs the First Agrarian Reform Law, which expropriates over 1,000 acres of farmlands & forbids foreign land ownership
Oswald was released from active Marine duty on September 11, 1959, and transferred to the Marine Corps Reserve.
Belgian authorities release Kasa-Vubu after detaining him following the January disturbances.
Resigns due to ill health, evidence of bone metastasis after developing colon cancer
Miro unexpectedly resigns & Castro is sworn in as Prime Minister of Cuba
During his total of 541 appearances for Wolves and his 105 games for England, his disciplinary record was excellent, never cautioned or sent off by any referee
The Cuban Government proclaims Guevara "a Cuban citizen by birth" in recognition of his role in the triumph of the revolutionary forces
Becomes a senior commander in the revolutionary army.
Continues revolutionary work after Batista's overthrow.
Becomes a close organiser within Castro's revolutionary circle.
Overthrown by Fidel Castro
Castro's forces enter Havana after Batista flees Cuba.
Castro arrives in Havana to cheering mobs and assumes the post of Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces
Intourist assigned Rima Shirokova as Lee's Moscow guide shortly after his arrival, and she assisted him with Soviet authorities.
Directs Rosen fur den Staatsanwalt.
Castros army rolls victoriously into Havana
Oswald took a Marine foreign-language qualification test in Russian on February 25, 1959, and received poor ratings in all tested areas.
Joins Queen Elizabeth II in formally opening the Saint Lawrence Seaway.
The Saint Lawrence Seaway opens to navigation, completing a major United States-Canadian infrastructure project backed by Eisenhower.
Tours San Francisco during his American visit and meets civic and business representatives.
Goes on to play 57 times and score 44 goals for England, five fewer than Bobby Charlton but at a much higher rate, remains third in the all-time list of England goalscorers, behind Charlton and Gary Lineker
Pours the first concrete for the IAEA laboratory at Seibersdorf, beginning construction of the Agency's research facility.
McCone testified before a Senate Foreign Relations subcommittee about the Geneva nuclear test negotiations and the technical problems of verification.
Healey begins a period as a Labour front-bench shadow secretary of state.
Healey enters Labour’s Shadow Cabinet and works on foreign affairs.
Castros army rolls victoriously into Havana
The Silver Beetles fail an audition to back Billy Fury & are chosen to back Johny Gentle on a Scottish tour
The Silver Beetles fail an audition to back Billy Fury & are chosen to back Johny Gentle on a Scottish tour
McCone joined AEC officials in demonstrating the SNAP-3 radioisotope power technology to President Eisenhower at the White House.
Lee told British customs officials that he planned a week in Britain before attending school in Switzerland, then flew to Helsinki that day.
Soon after reaching Moscow, Oswald told his Intourist guide that he wanted to leave the United States and become a Soviet citizen.
Lee probably applied for his Soviet entry visa at the Russian consulate in Helsinki on October 12, the first business day after arrival.
On October 21, 1959, Soviet officials informed Oswald that his visa had expired and ordered him to leave Moscow within two hours.
The Soviet consulate issued Oswald a visa on October 14, 1959, permitting a single visit of no more than six days.
The SS Marion Lykes sailed from New Orleans early on September 20, 1959, carrying Oswald as one of four passengers.
Queen Elizabeth and President Eisenhower open St Lawrence Seaway
al-Fayez participates in state visit connected with Jordanian political and historical developments.
McDonald leads a nationwide steel strike over work rules and employment security.
Chinese forces suppress the Lhasa uprising as the Dalai Lama escapes toward India.
With assistance from his Intourist guide, Lee mailed a letter to the Supreme Soviet requesting Soviet citizenship.
Succeeds de Valera as Taoiseach and begins a government focused on economic modernization.
McCone joined senior officials in reviewing the expiring nuclear test moratorium and negotiating guidance before President Eisenhower made a new policy decision.
Directs Die Brucke, known in English as The Bridge.
Hanoi established the 559th Transportation Group under the command of Colonel (later General) Vo Bam to improve and maintain a transportation system to supply the Vietcong uprising against South Vietnamese Government
Uses the Twenty-First Party Congress to launch the Seven-Year Plan and proclaim progress toward communism.
McCone raised concerns about verifying underground nuclear explosions and supported further experiments to improve detection methods before relying on a comprehensive test ban.
While Kaunda is in prison, Mainza Chona and other nationalists break away from the ANC and, in October 1959, Chona becomes the first President of the United National Independence Party (UNIP), the successor to ZANC
While Kaunda is in prison, Mainza Chona and other nationalists break away from the ANC and, in October 1959, Chona becomes the first President of the United National Independence Party (UNIP), the successor to ZANC
Addresses the United Nations General Assembly during his visit to the United States.
Lee traveled by train from Helsinki and crossed the Finnish-Soviet border at Vainikkala on October 15.
Begins the victory caravan from Santiago toward Havana.
Visits China for the 10th anniversary of the revolution
Visits Chicago on the Britannia
Visits Khruschev to "have an exploratory exchange of views on world problems"
Pays a royal state visit to Canada
Criticised in the press for a visit to the US
Women of the royal family appear unveiled at public independence celebrations with government support.
Birth of Amanda Redman
Birth of Bryan Adams
Birth of Charles Peter Kennedy
Birth of Chris Fairbank
Birth of Emma Thompson
Birth of John McEnroe
Birth of Paul McGann
Killed with Dale Buis in the Bien Hoa attack
Killed in an attack often counted among the first US combat deaths in Vietnam
Death of Daniel Francois Malan
Death of Daniel Francois Malan
Death of Errol Flynn
Death of John Foster Dules
Death of John Foster Dulles
Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper (J.P. Richardson) are killed when a plane Buddy Holly had chartered from Mason City, Iowa, to Fargo, North Dakota crashes in a corn field
Dies after ruling Luang Prabang and Laos through the colonial and independence eras
Provenance
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