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October 20, 1959

October 20, 1959, was a Tuesday. It was the 293rd day of 1959. The decade was the fifties.

64 years, 5 months, and 8 days have passed since October 20, 1959.

The zodiac star sign for this date is Libra.

Music charts

Top song: October 20, 1959

The best-selling single on October 20, 1959 was "Mack the Knife" by Bobby Darin.

The Billboard Hot 100 on October 20, 1959

The top five songs from the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

  • Mack The Knife - Bobby Darin
  • Put Your Head On My Shoulder - Paul Anka
  • Mr. Blue - The Fleetwoods
  • Teen Beat - Sandy Nelson
  • ('til) I Kissed You - The Everly Brothers
Play the top songs from 1959
A Spotify playlist of songs from the year 1959. Take a trip back to the days of The Platters, Frankie Avalon, The Fleetwoods and Johnny Horton.
The FBI Story

Top movie

The top movie on this day was "The FBI Story".

Facts

This date was 23,536 days ago. Approximately 785 months have passed. It was the 293rd day of 1959, in week 43. The decade was the fifties. People born on this day are currently 64 years old and belong to the Baby Boomer generation. 262 seasons of weather have come and gone since then.

Take me back to October 20, 1959

Let's take a walk down memory lane.

It is Tuesday, October 20, 1959. Babies who are born today will have the star sign Libra. The summer is long gone. Temperatures have become much cooler, and the evenings are beginning to get darker.

There is a fresh, earthy scent in the air, and fallen leaves have carpeted driveways, lawns, pathways, and sidewalks. Halloween 1959 is quickly approaching. In music, the song "Mack the Knife" by Bobby Darin is the best-selling record at the moment.

Dwight David Eisenhower is the President of the United States, and the movie The FBI Story is at the top of the box office. Harold Macmillan is the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. In fashion, women are sporting chemise dresses, sheaths, sack dresses and straight-cut suits. Short boxy jackets and shift dresses are also beginning to become popular. Meanwhile, a lot of men are sporting a "Teddy Boy" style that involves leather jackets, greased-back hair, extremely narrow trousers and velvet-collared jackets. Men are also wearing formal suits as daywear.

Tailfins on cars are extremely popular at the moment. The design looks futuristic, almost like a rocket or the twin rudders on the back of an airplane. It's 1959, so radio stations and jukeboxes are playing hit songs from artists such as Johnny Horton, Bobby Darin, Lloyd Price, Frankie Avalon, Paul Anka, The Browns, The Fleetwoods and Wilbert Harrison. If you were to travel back to this day, notable figures such as Clark Gable would be still alive.

On TV, people are watching popular shows such as "What's My Line?", "Wagon Train", "Bonanza", and "The Untouchables". Kids and teenagers are watching TV shows such as "Looney Tunes", "The Adventures of Spunky and Tadpole", "Augie Doggie and Doggie Daddy", and "Dennis the Menace". Popular toys at the moment include Tiny Tears (doll), Wooly Willy, the Frisbee, and Metal House robots.

News

News, nostalgia, and fads

These are news stories, trending topics, and fads that were popular on October 20, 1959.

  • Steel strike of 1959.

    Steel strike of 1959

    Between July and November of 1959, members of the United Steelworkers of America went on strike.
  • Trouble is brewing in Vietnam.

    Trouble is brewing in Vietnam

    By this time, communist forces in North Vietnam had committed themselves to invading South Vietnam. The Ho Chi Minh trail was established and expanded and guerrilla warfare attacks were being carried out against the US-backed Diệm government in the south. It was during this time that the United States started to slowly escalate its involvement in the conflict.
  • Barbie is introduced.

    Barbie is introduced

    The first Barbie toy doll was introduced in March 1959. The doll came in both blonde and brunette colors. It also had a modest sideways glance.
  • Phonebooth stuffing has become a fad.

    Phonebooth stuffing has become a fad

    In 1959, a new fad swept across South Africa, the United States, Canada, and Britain. This fad was called "phonebooth stuffing". As the name suggests, it involved trying to fit as many people into a telephone booth as possible.
  • Movies from 1959.

    Movies from 1959

    The most popular movies in 1958 were Ben-Hur, The Shaggy Dog, Operation Petticoat, Some Like It Hot, Pillow Talk, Imitation of Life, "Suddenly, Last Summer", Rio Bravo and The Nun's Story.
  • 1959 in music.

    1959 in music

    The radio stations in 1959 were dominated by artists such as Johnny Horton, Bobby Darin, Lloyd Price, Frankie Avalon, Paul Anka, The Browns, The Fleetwoods and Wilbert Harrison.
  • Dwight D. Eisenhower.

    Dwight D. Eisenhower

    US President Dwight D. Eisenhower was named Time Person of the Year in 1959.
  • Tailfins on cars.

    Tailfins on cars

    Tailfins on cars were a popular style around this time. The design looked futuristic, almost like the twin rudders on the back of an airplane.
  • Panty raids are all the rage on college campuses.

    Panty raids are all the rage on college campuses

    Panty raids were a popular college prank at the time. Large groups of male students would "raid" the living quarters of their female counterparts and then steal their underwear as proof that the raid had been successful. These raids took place during a time when colleges had curfews and men were forbidden from entering female dormitories.
  • Greasers.

    Greasers

    A youth subculture called "greasers" emerged during the 1950s and early 1960s. The style included greased-back hairstyles, work pants, and denim or leather jackets.
  • The Jukebox.

    The Jukebox

    The jukebox was at the height of its popularity. Teenagers and young adults would often hang out at local restaurants and diners and listen to the latest songs.
  • Men are getting "DA haircuts".

    Men are getting "DA haircuts"

    The "DA haircut" was extremely popular among men. The cut consisted of a combed-back hairstyle that was parted down the middle at the back. "DA" stood for "Duck's Ass," which is what many people liked to call the style.
  • Sock hops.

    Sock hops

    Sock hops were informal dance events for teenagers. The name originated from the fact that many of these dances required participants to remove their shoes. This is because sock hops were often held in high school gymnasiums, and the organizers didn't want scuff marks on the floors.
  • Capitalism vs Communism.

    Capitalism vs Communism

    The ideological clash between capitalism and communism heated up during the 1950s. It was during this period that a "Cold War" started between the United States and the Soviet Union. In the US, there were fears that Soviet spies had infiltrated all parts of society, including Hollywood.
  • The economy is booming.

    The economy is booming

    The world was recovering from World War II. Many countries witnessed an economic boom during this decade. Unemployment was low, consumerism increased, mortgages were cheap, and governments started to invest in infrastructure such as highways. For many, this was the "golden age" of the economy.
  • Rotary phones.

    Rotary phones

    Almost everyone had rotary phones in the 1950s. However, the heavier metal dial components were being phased out and replaced with plastic.
  • More and more people are buying television sets.

    More and more people are buying television sets

    More and more households were buying TV sets. In 1950, 20% of homes had a television. By the end of the decade, that figure had risen to 90%.

Personality traits

Check out our personality summary for people who were born on October 20, 1959.

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

View Personality Summary

Events

What happened around this time?

Notable events that happened close to October 20, 1959.

  • October 9, 1959: Baseball: The Los Angeles Dodgers defeat the Chicago White Sox by 4-2 to win the 1959 World Series.
  • This date: October 20, 1959
  • October 24, 1959: Wilt Chamberlain makes his NBA debut.
  • October 29, 1959: The comic strip series "The Adventures of Asterix" makes its debut.
  • November 2, 1959: The first part of the M1 motorway is opened in England.
  • November 7, 1959: Golf: The United States wins the 1959 Ryder Cup at the Eldorado Country Club in Indian Wells, California.
  • November 19, 1959: The first episode of Rocky and Bullwinkle is aired on ABC.
Zodiac info

Zodiac

Zodiac, birthstone, and birth flower information.

Personality summary image

  • Zodiac Sign (Astrology): Anyone born on October 20, 1959, will have the star sign Libra.
  • Zodiac Element: Air.
  • Chinese Zodiac Animal: In the Chinese Zodiac, 1959 was the year of the Pig (Yin Wood).
  • The Life Path Number for this date is 9.
  • Native American Zodiac: October 20, 1959 falls under the Raven.
  • Birthstone: A person during the month of October will have the birthstones Tourmaline and Opal.
  • Birth flower (October): The Marigold and the Cosmos.

1950s fashion

Photographs of 1950s fashion and hairstyles.

1950s fashion

Television shows

TV series on October 20, 1959

People in October 1959 were watching the following TV series:

TV shows from October 1959.

The Untouchables
The Untouchables
The Twilight Zone
The Twilight Zone
The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis
The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis
Bonanza
Bonanza
Rawhide
Rawhide
77 Sunset Strip
77 Sunset Strip
Casey Jones
Casey Jones
Maverick
Maverick
Perry Mason
Perry Mason
Wagon Train
Wagon Train
Have Gun - Will Travel
Have Gun - Will Travel
Tonight Starring Jack Paar
Tonight Starring Jack Paar
Fury
Fury
Gunsmoke
Gunsmoke
The Danny Thomas Show
The Danny Thomas Show
The Jack Benny Program
The Jack Benny Program
You Bet Your Life
You Bet Your Life
What's My Line?
What's My Line?
The Ed Sullivan Show
The Ed Sullivan Show

Cars in 1959

1959 saw the introduction of cars such as the Ford Falcon, the Chevrolet El Camino, the BMW 700, the Mini, the Buick Electra, and the Studebaker Lark.

Cars in 1959.

Children TV shows

Kids TV shows on October 20, 1959

Cartoons and TV shows that children and teenagers were watching on this day in 1959:

Dennis the Menace
Dennis the Menace
The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis
The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis
Augie Doggie and Doggie Daddy
Augie Doggie and Doggie Daddy

Noggin the Nog
Noggin the Nog
Clutch Cargo
Clutch Cargo
Pixie and Dixie and Mr. Jinks
Pixie and Dixie and Mr. Jinks
Felix the Cat
Felix the Cat
Bozo: The World's Most Famous Clown
Bozo: The World's Most Famous Clown
The Rifleman
The Rifleman
The Huckleberry Hound Show
The Huckleberry Hound Show
The Adventures of Spunky and Tadpole
The Adventures of Spunky and Tadpole
The Ruff and Reddy Show
The Ruff and Reddy Show
Leave It to Beaver
Leave It to Beaver
Captain Pugwash
Captain Pugwash
Colonel Bleep
Colonel Bleep
Tom Terrific
Tom Terrific
Heckle and Jeckle
Heckle and Jeckle
The Gumby Show
The Gumby Show
Mighty Mouse Playhouse
Mighty Mouse Playhouse
Captain Kangaroo
Captain Kangaroo
The Mickey Mouse Club
The Mickey Mouse Club
Father Knows Best
Father Knows Best
Lassie
Lassie
Crusader Rabbit
Crusader Rabbit
Tom and Jerry
Tom and Jerry
Looney Tunes
Looney Tunes
Toys

Popular toys and games in 1959

Toys and games that were popular in 1959:

Playpal dolls
Playpal dolls
Crater Critters
Crater Critters
Fisher Price Little People
Fisher Price Little People
The Hula Hoop
The Hula Hoop
Metal House robots
Metal House robots
The Frisbee
The Frisbee
Wooly Willy
Wooly Willy
Play-Doh
Play-Doh
Matchbox toy cars
Matchbox toy cars
Colorforms
Colorforms
BAS-KET Miniature Basketball
BAS-KET Miniature Basketball
Tiny Tears (doll)
Tiny Tears (doll)
Spinning Tops
Spinning Tops
Toy Guns
Toy Guns
Foto-Electric Baseball
Foto-Electric Baseball
Tonka trucks
Tonka trucks
Dimestore soldiers
Dimestore soldiers

Were you born on October 20, 1959?

If you were born on this date, then it is unlikely that you will remember anything from the year 1959.

This is because humans find it difficult to retrieve memories of their early childhood.

If you are looking for some childhood nostalgia, then you should check out October 20, 1965, instead.

Celebrity birthdays

Celebrity birthdays

Celebrities, historical figures, and other notable people who were born on October 20.

Mickey Mantle

Mickey Mantle

Baseball player Deceased
Born on October 20, 1931
He turned 28 on this day in 1959.

Tom Petty

Tom Petty

Musician Deceased
Born on October 20, 1950
He turned 9 on this day in 1959.

Scott Hall

Scott Hall

Wrestler Deceased
Born on October 20, 1958
He turned 1 on this day in 1959.

Viggo Mortensen

Viggo Mortensen

Actor
Born on October 20, 1958
He turned 1 on this day in 1959.

Kamala Harris

Kamala Harris

US Vice President
Born on October 20, 1964
She was born exactly 5 years after this date.

Snoop Dogg

Snoop Dogg

Rapper
Born on October 20, 1971
He was born exactly 12 years after this date.

John Krasinski

John Krasinski

Actor
Born on October 20, 1979
He was born exactly 20 years after this date.

Candice Swanepoel

Candice Swanepoel

Actor
Born on October 20, 1988
She was born exactly 29 years after this date.

USA

US President

Dwight David Eisenhower was the President of the United States on October 20, 1959.

UK

UK Prime Minister

Harold Macmillan was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

Ireland

Irish Taoiseach

Seán Lemass was the Taoiseach of Ireland.

Conception

Conception dates

Conception estimates for this date.

  • A baby that was born on October 20, 1959 was most likely conceived around January 27, 1959.
  • The due date for a baby that was conceived on October 20, 1959 is close to July 12, 1960.

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Stats for October 20, 1959

Statistics

Here are some interesting statistics about October 20, 1959:

  • 23,536 days have passed since this date.
  • 3,362 weeks have passed.
  • 2,033,510,400 seconds have passed since October 20, 1959.
  • If you were born on this day, your heart has beat approximately 2,372,428,800 times.
  • Since then, the Earth has traveled approximately 1,049,291,366,400 miles through space.
  • If you were born on this day, your eyes have blinked approximately 338,918,400 times.
  • You have taken approximately 174,881,894 steps. That's roughly 77,725 miles!
  • Since this date, 24,402,125 meteors have entered the Earth's atmosphere!
  • How many years ago was 1959?

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