January 1959

Thursday 01:

Fulgencio Batista, President of the Republic of Cuba, is overthrown by Fidel Castro's forces.

Friday 02:

CBS Radio cuts four soap operas: Backstage Wife, Our Gal Sunday, Road of Life, and This is Nora Drake.

Saturday 03:

Alaska is admitted as the 49th U.S. state.

Sunday 04:

Luna 1 becomes the first spacecraft to reach the vicinity of the Moon.

Wednesday 07:

The United States recognizes the new Cuban government of Fidel Castro

Thursday 08:

Michel Debré becomes Prime Minister of France

Thursday 29:

Sleeping Beauty, the last animated feature produced by Walt Disney to be based upon a fairy tale, was first released.