February 1959

Tuesday 03:

The Day The Music Died: A plane crash kills rock-and-roll performers Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper.

Friday 06:

At Cape Canaveral, Florida, the first successful test firing of a Titan intercontinental ballistic missile is accomplished.

Monday 16:

Fidel Castro becomes Premier of Cuba after President Fulgencio Batista was overthrown on January 1.

Tuesday 17:

The first weather satellite, Vanguard 2, was launched to measure cloud-cover distribution.

Thursday 19:

The United Kingdom grants Cyprus its independence, which is then on formally proclaimed on August 16, 1960.

Friday 20:

The Avro Arrow programme to design and manufacture supersonic jet fighters in Canada is cancelled by the Diefenbaker government amid much political debate.

Sunday 22:

Lee Petty wins the first Daytona 500.