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August 31, 1959

August 31, 1959, was a Monday. It was the 243rd day of 1959. The decade was the fifties.

64 years, 6 months, and 28 days have passed since August 31, 1959.

The zodiac star sign for this date is Virgo.

Music charts

Top song: August 31, 1959

The best-selling single on August 31, 1959 was "The Three Bells" by The Browns.

The Billboard Hot 100 on August 31, 1959

The top five songs from the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

  • The Three Bells - The Browns
  • Sea Of Love - Phil Phillips With The Twilights
  • Sleep Walk - Santo & Johnny
  • Lavender-Blue - Sammy Turner
  • I'm Gonna Get Married - Lloyd Price
Play the top singles 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.
North by Northwest

Top movie

The top movie on this day was "North by Northwest".

Facts

This date occurred 23,586 days ago. Approximately 786 months have passed. It was the 243rd day of 1959, in week 36. The decade was the fifties. People who were born on August 31, 1959, are now 64 years old and belong to the Baby Boomer generation. 262 seasons of weather have come and gone since then.

Take me back to August 31, 1959

Let's go back to the fifties.

The date is August 31, 1959, and it's a Monday. Babies who are born today will have the star sign Virgo. The weekend has just passed, so some people are feeling a bit down. Others are tired after partying too much.

The summer of 1959 is coming to an end and fall is just around the corner. Labor Day weekend is a few days away, which means that many Americans are planning barbecues and other social gatherings. In music, the song "The Three Bells" by The Browns is the best-selling record at the moment.

Dwight David Eisenhower is the President of the United States, and the movie North by Northwest is at the top of the box office. Harold Macmillan is the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. On television, people are watching popular shows such as "The Jack Benny Program", "Fury", "Tonight Starring Jack Paar", and "77 Sunset Strip".

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. Kids and teenagers are watching TV shows such as "Lassie", "Father Knows Best", "The Adventures of Spunky and Tadpole", and "The Rifleman". Children are playing with toys such as Tiny Tears (doll), Matchbox toy cars, the Hula Hoop, and Fisher Price Little People.

News

News, nostalgia, and fads

These are news stories, trending topics, and fads that were popular on August 31, 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 August 31, 1959.

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

View Personality Summary

Events

What happened around this time?

News stories, pop culture trends, and other events that happened around August 31, 1959.

  • August 3, 1959: Pidjiguiti massacre: Over 50 people are killed in Bissau, Portuguese Guinea after Portugal's state police force opens fire on a crowd of striking workers.
  • August 14, 1959: The American Football League (AFL) is founded.
  • August 21, 1959: Hawaii becomes the 50th U.S. state.
  • August 26, 1959: The Mini (vehicle) is launched.
  • This date: August 31, 1959
  • September 12, 1959: The first episode of the American Western television series "Bonanza" is aired on NBC.
  • September 14, 1959: Soviet probe Luna 2 becomes the first man-made object to reach the moon.
  • September 15, 1959: General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, Nikita Khrushchev, visits the United States.
  • September 16, 1959: The first successful photocopier is introduced to the world.
  • September 19, 1959:
    • Government authorities prevent Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev from visiting Disneyland in Los Angeles due to "security concerns".
    • The first episode of the animated series "Snooper and Blabber" is aired.
Zodiac info

Zodiac

Zodiac, birthstone, and birth flower information.

Personality summary image

  • Zodiac Sign (Astrology): Anyone born on August 31, 1959, will have the star sign Virgo.
  • Zodiac Element: Earth.
  • 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: August 31, 1959 falls under the Bear.
  • Birthstone: A person during the month of August will have the birthstone Peridot.
  • Birth flower (August): The Gladiolus and the Poppy.

1950s fashion

Photographs of 1950s fashion and hairstyles.

1950s fashion

Television shows

Television shows in August 1959

In August 1959, TV audiences were watching the following series:

TV shows from August 1959.

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

Cartoons and children's TV shows in August 1959

If you were a kid on August 31, 1959, then you were probably watching the following cartoons and TV shows:

Clutch Cargo
Clutch Cargo
Pixie and Dixie and Mr. Jinks
Pixie and Dixie and Mr. Jinks
Felix the Cat
Felix the Cat

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

Toys in 1959

If you were a child on this date, then you may have had some of the following toys:

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 August 31, 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 August 31, 1965, instead.

Celebrity birthdays

Celebrity birthdays

Celebrities, historical figures, and other notable people who were born on August 31.

Richard Gere

Richard Gere

Actor
Born on August 31, 1949
He turned 10 on this day in 1959.

Chris Tucker

Chris Tucker

Actor
Born on August 31, 1971
He was born exactly 12 years after this date.

Jeff Hardy

Jeff Hardy

Wrestler
Born on August 31, 1977
He was born exactly 18 years after this date.

Chloe Ferry

Chloe Ferry

TV personality
Born on August 31, 1995
She was born exactly 36 years after this date.

Holidays

Holidays

National holidays and famous events that fall on August 31:

  • Late Summer Bank Holiday (UK)
USA

US President

Dwight David Eisenhower was the President of the United States on August 31, 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 August 31, 1959 was most likely conceived around December 8, 1958.
  • The due date for a baby that was conceived on August 31, 1959 is close to May 23, 1960.

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Stats for August 31, 1959

Statistics

Here are some interesting statistics about August 31, 1959:

  • 23,586 days have passed since this date.
  • 3,369 weeks have passed.
  • 2,037,834,000 seconds have passed since August 31, 1959.
  • If you were born on this day, your heart has beat approximately 2,377,473,000 times.
  • Since then, the Earth has traveled approximately 1,051,522,344,000 miles through space.
  • If you were born on this day, your eyes have blinked approximately 339,639,000 times.
  • You have taken approximately 175,253,724 steps. That's roughly 77,891 miles!
  • Since this date, 24,454,008 meteors have entered the Earth's atmosphere!
  • How many years ago was 1959?

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