Passport Application
Oswald applied for a United States passport on September 4, 1959, while preparing to leave active Marine service.
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1959 in United States of America — Page 2
Explore 111 historical events and records for United States of America in 1959.
Historical records for United States of America in 1959
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 40 of 111 unique records.
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September
Release from Active Duty
Oswald was released from active Marine duty on September 11, 1959, and transferred to the Marine Corps Reserve.
Khrushchev United States Visit
Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev begins an unprecedented visit to the United States.
European Passage Booking
Oswald booked passage from New Orleans to Le Havre aboard the freighter SS Marion Lykes on September 17, 1959.
Liberty Hotel Registration
Before sailing to Europe, Lee registered at the Liberty Hotel in New Orleans on the evening of September 17.
SS Marion Lykes Departure
The SS Marion Lykes sailed from New Orleans early on September 20, 1959, carrying Oswald as one of four passengers.
Camp David Talks with Khrushchev
Begins talks with Nikita Khrushchev at Camp David on Berlin and wider East-West tensions.
Seibersdorf Laboratory Construction Inaugurated
Pours the first concrete for the IAEA laboratory at Seibersdorf, beginning construction of the Agency's research facility.
October
Le Havre Arrival
Oswald disembarked at Le Havre on October 8, 1959, and continued his journey toward northern Europe.
Helsinki Arrival
Oswald flew to Helsinki on October 9, 1959, after telling British customs officials that he planned to remain in Britain for a week.
Southampton Customs Declaration
Lee told British customs officials that he planned a week in Britain before attending school in Switzerland, then flew to Helsinki that day.
Soviet Visa Application
Lee probably applied for his Soviet entry visa at the Russian consulate in Helsinki on October 12, the first business day after arrival.
Soviet Visa Issued
The Soviet consulate issued Oswald a visa on October 14, 1959, permitting a single visit of no more than six days.
Vainikkala Border Crossing
Lee traveled by train from Helsinki and crossed the Finnish-Soviet border at Vainikkala on October 15.
Moscow Arrival
Oswald arrived in Moscow on October 16, 1959, and registered at the Hotel Berlin as a student.
Rima Shirokova Intourist Assignment
Intourist assigned Rima Shirokova as Lee's Moscow guide shortly after his arrival, and she assisted him with Soviet authorities.
Supreme Soviet Citizenship Letter
With assistance from his Intourist guide, Lee mailed a letter to the Supreme Soviet requesting Soviet citizenship.
Botkinskaya Psychiatric Ward
Following his wrist injury, Lee spent three days in Botkinskaya Hospital's psychiatric ward before doctors transferred him to another department.
Moscow Self Harm Incident
After being told to leave Moscow, Oswald cut his left wrist and was taken unconscious to Botkinskaya Hospital.
Soviet Visa Expiration Order
On October 21, 1959, Soviet officials informed Oswald that his visa had expired and ordered him to leave Moscow within two hours.
Metropole Hotel Registration
After leaving the hospital, Lee checked out of the Hotel Berlin and registered at Moscow's Metropole Hotel.
Embassy Citizenship Renunciation Attempt
Lee appeared at the American Embassy and declared that he wanted to renounce his United States citizenship.
Soviet Citizenship Request
Soon after reaching Moscow, Oswald told his Intourist guide that he wanted to leave the United States and become a Soviet citizen.
November
Citizenship Revocation Letter
Lee wrote the American Embassy requesting revocation of his citizenship after consular officials had delayed his attempted renunciation.
Aline Mosby Interview
United Press International reporter Aline Mosby interviewed Lee for about two hours regarding his decision to remain in the Soviet Union.
Priscilla Johnson Interview
Journalist Priscilla Johnson interviewed Lee at the Metropole Hotel for roughly five hours about his politics, defection, and Soviet citizenship hopes.
December
Eleven-Nation Goodwill Tour Begins
Departs on an eleven-nation goodwill tour intended to strengthen alliances and demonstrate personal diplomacy.
Test Moratorium Policy Review
McCone joined senior officials in reviewing the expiring nuclear test moratorium and negotiating guidance before President Eisenhower made a new policy decision.
AEC Test Policy Guidance
McCone transmitted guidance to the AEC after the administration decided how to handle the expiring moratorium and future Geneva negotiations.
Other events (month unknown)
Academy Award
Winner of the Academy Award for Best Direction for Ben-Hur
Anatomy of a Murder
Stars in, "Anatomy of a Murder"
BAFTA
Stars in "The Apartment", wins the BAFTA Award for Best Foreign Actor
Ben-Hur
Directs, Ben-Hur
Berkeley Research
Moves to Berkeley and conducts research across high-energy physics, weak currents, broken symmetries and scattering theory.
Break With Castro
Sturgis left his earlier pro-Castro position and moved into opposition to the Cuban government.
Civil Disobedience
Visits India to study nonviolence and civil disobedience
Death of Buddy Holly
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
FBI
An FBI agent who opens a case file on Oswald after his defection to the Soviet Union
FBI
An FBI agent who opens a case file on Oswald after his defection to the Soviet Union
Golden Globe
Stars in "The Apartment", wins the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.