1959
Alaska and Hawaii became America's 49th and 50th states.
Vice president Richard Nixon toured Poland and the Soviet Union and debated with Nikita Khrushchev. The premier visited visit the U.S. later in the year.
Oklahoma repealed its Prohibition Law, leaving Missouri as the only "dry" state.
America's first second-generation black general, Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., was promoted to major general.
2,000 anti-American Panamanians unsuccessfully attempted to seize the Canal Zone.
Rockers Buddy Holly, the Big Bopper and Richie Valens died in an air crash.
The first TV cartoon aimed at adults as well as kids, 
Rocky & His Friends, debuted in syndication. The Jay Ward production starred Rocket J. Squirrel and Bullwinkle J. Moose, whose middle initials came from their producer. William Conrad of radio's Gunsmoke was the show's announcer.
Gunsmoke had become the top-rated TV show and NBC introduced Bonanza, the first series filmed entirely in color.
Ben Hur, starring Charlton Heston, was the year's top box office hit.
Hit songs included The Battle Of New Orleans by Johnny Horton, A Big Hunk O'Love by Elvis Presley and Mack The Knife by Bobby Darin.
