What Happened on May 30, 1959

Historical Events

Nervous Set

"Nervous Set" closes at Henry Miller's Theater NYC after 23 performances

  • 58th Men's French Championships: Nicola Pietrangeli beats Ian Vermaak (3-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-1)
  • 58th Women's French Championships: Christine Truman beats Zsuzsi Kormoczy (6-4, 7-5)

First Impressions

George Weiss, Bo Goldman, and Glenn Paxton musical "First Impressions", adapted from Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice", starring Polly Bergen; Farley Granger, and Hermione Gingold, closes at Alvin Theater, NYC, after 84 performances

  • Indianapolis 500: Rodger Ward earns first of 2 career Indy 500 victories as a record 16 cars complete full 500 miles; for the first time all cars required to have roll bars
  • Iraq withdraws from the Baghdad Pact (Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Turkey, and the United Kingdom)
  • President Luis Somoza Debayle ends emergency crisis in Nicaragua
  • President Stroessner disbands Paraguay's parliament
  • The Auckland Harbour Bridge is officially opened in Auckland, New Zealand.

Famous Birthdays

  • Claudia Alexander, Canadian-born American NASA Scientist (led Galileo mission to Jupiter), born in Vancouver, British Columbia (d. 2015)
  • Frank Vanhecke, Belgian politician, born in Bruges, Belgium

Famous Deaths

  • Thomas Carl Whitmer, American composer, dies at 85
Died in 1959 1959 Highlights

About May 30, 1959

Day of the Week: Saturday
How Long Ago? 64 years, 10 months and 27 days
Leap Year: No

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

Music Charts

  • US #1 Song: The Battle Of New Orleans - Johnny Horton
  • UK #1 Song: A Fool Such As I/I Need Your Love Tonight - Elvis Presley