What Happened on July 17, 1959

Historical Events

North by Northwest

"North by Northwest" directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint premieres in Los Angeles

  • 2,000 ft long by 1,300 foot wide section of ridge falls into Madis

Scientific Discovery

Paleoanthropologist Mary Leakey discovers partial skull of a new species of early human ancestor, Zinjanthropus boisei or 'Zinj' (now called Paranthropus boisei) lived in Africa almost 2 million years ago

  • River Canyon extending man-made Lake Hebgen by 5 miles. (Montana)
  • Tibet abolishes serfdom

Famous Birthdays

  • Janet Lynn Kavandi, American scientist and NASA astronaut (sk:STS 91), born in Carthage, Missouri

Famous Deaths

Billie Holiday (1915-1959)

American jazz singer ("I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm"; "Strange Fruit"), and songwriter ("God Bless The Child"; "Lady Sings the Blues"), dies of cirrhosis of the liver at 44

  • Eugene Meyer, American businessman and newspaper publisher (b. 1875)
  • Henri Pourrat, French writer (Le chasseur de la nuit), dies at 72
Died in 1959 1959 Highlights

About July 17, 1959

Day of the Week: Friday
How Long Ago? 64 years, 9 months and 10 days
Leap Year: No

Generation: Baby Boomer
Chinese Zodiac: Pig
Star Sign: Cancer

Music Charts

  • US #1 Song: Lonely Boy - Paul Anka
  • UK #1 Song: Dream Lover - Bobby Darin