Over 10 years on after the war, the world was back on its feet. Our 1958 newspaper articles document a time of great change during this year, where some of history’s most memorable events took place. With over 4 million newspapers to choose from, you can select any period during this year. It’s remarkable looking back on history, particularly on the events that defined the decade.
What can you remember about 1958 newspaper headlines? A lot happened in this one year; Jack Kilby of Texas Instruments and Robert Noyce of Fairchild Semiconductors release the Microchip, and the first Transatlantic passenger jetliner service was launched. Computer technology was on the rise, while the Explorer 2 Space Mission came to an end.
4th January 1958
‘Sputnik 1’, which had been launched on 4th October 1957, falls to Earth from its orbit.
6th February 1958
Twenty-three people are killed in the Munich air disaster, including eight Manchester United football players.
23rd February 1958
Cuban rebels kidnap five-time world driving champion Juan Manuel Fangio, releasing him twenty-eight hours later. Fangio becomes good friends with his captors.
2nd March 1958
A British team led by Sir Vivian Fuchs completes the first crossing of the Antarctic, in Snow-cat caterpillar tractors and dogsled teams. Their journey takes just ninety-nine days in total.
24th March 1958
The American Army inducts Elvis Presley, transforming ‘The King Of Rock and Roll’ into U.S. Private #53310761.
4-7th April 1958
Demonstrators demand that nuclear weapons are banned in the first protest march for the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. The march begins in Hyde Park and finishes in Aldermaston, Berkshire.
29th June 1958
Brazil beats Sweden 5-2 to win the 1958 FIFA World Cup.
10th July 1958
The first parking meters are installed in Britain.
17th July 1958
British paratroopers arrive in Jordan; King Hussein had asked for help against pressure from Iraq.
26th July 1958
The Queen gives her son, Charles, the title of Prince of Wales.
30th August 1958
Riots between blacks and whites begin in Notting Hill. They continue until 1st September.
1st September 1958
The first Cod War begins between the United Kingdom and Iceland.
28th October 1958
Pope John XXIII succeeds Pope Pius XII as the 261st pope.
5th December 1958
Subscriber Trunk Dialling (STD) is inaugurated in the UK by the Queen, when she dials a call from Bristol to Edinburgh and speaks to the Lord Provost.
5th December 1958
The United Kingdom’s first motorway, The Preston bypass, opens to traffic for the first time. This stretch is now part of the M6 and M55 motorways.
21st December 1958
General Charles de Gaulle is elected president of France with 78.5% of the votes.
Major news events of 1958 include the highs and lows of the decade, recorded by those who were there to witness the events as they unravelled. Front-page reprints or original newspapers are available for this year, meaning anyone with a keen sense of history can choose to have a major headline from this year, or an entire newspaper. If you want an exact newspaper on particular events or persons, you can contact research@historic-newspapers.co.uk for in-depth articles.
Newspapers bring the past into the present and with it a treasure trove of memories. For many, our 1958 newspaper headlines act as anchors to key moments in their own life, remembering where they were during the events and overflown by nostalgia.