WHAT ALL HAPPENED JANUARY TO APRIL 1959
Find out what all happened January to April 1959

The R-7 Semyorka, the first intercontinental ballistic missile, becomes operational at Plesetsk, USSR. (9. February 1959)

Tibetan uprising: Fearing an abduction attempt by China, 300,000 Tibetans surround the Dalai Lama's palace to prevent his removal. (10. March 1959)

At Cape Canaveral, Florida, the first successful test firing of a Titan intercontinental ballistic missile is accomplished. (6. February 1959)

The St. Lawrence Seaway, linking the North American Great Lakes and the Atlantic Ocean, officially opens to shipping. (25. April 1959)

Jack Kilby of Texas Instruments files the first patent for an integrated circuit. (6. February 1959)

A team of computer manufacturers, users, and university people led by Grace Hopper meets to discuss the creation of a new programming language that would be called COBOL. (8. April 1959)

The State Council of the People's Republic of China dissolves the Government of Tibet. (28. March 1959)

Akihito, future Emperor of Japan, marries Michiko. (10. April 1959)

Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, flees Tibet for India. (17. March 1959)

Project Vanguard: Vanguard 2 – The first weather satellite is launched to measure cloud-cover distribution. (17. February 1959)

The 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, crosses the border into India and is granted political asylum. (31. March 1959)

Separatists in the Maldives declare the establishment of the United Suvadive Republic. (3. January 1959)

The Organization of American States drafts an agreement to create the Inter-American Development Bank. (8. April 1959)

MS Hans Hedtoft, said to be the safest ship afloat and "unsinkable" like the RMS Titanic, strikes an iceberg on her maiden voyage and sinks, killing all 95 aboard. (30. January 1959)

Iakovos is enthroned as Greek Orthodox Archbishop of America. (1. April 1959)

The United States recognizes the new Cuban government of Fidel Castro. (7. January 1959)

President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a bill into law allowing for Hawaiian statehood, which would become official on August 21. (18. March 1959)

Knox Mine Disaster: Water breaches the River Slope Mine near Pittston City, Pennsylvania in Port Griffith; 12 miners are killed. (22. January 1959)

The Party of the African Federation is launched by Léopold Sédar Senghor and Modibo Keïta. (24. March 1959)

The Caves of Nerja are rediscovered in Spain. (12. January 1959)