“This is 1959 revisited…. a year marked by the weather’s whims -- and by the starkness of tragedy.…The year was another rung in mankind’s upward climb. It was a year of lessons learned…. and unlearned. Journey with us -- through the highlights and headlines of a year which now belongs to history. This was 1959!”

CFPL News Stories for 1959:

Sports Celebrity Dinner for Crippled Children Featuring Frankie Frisch	Contaminated Water in Southwestern London	CFPL Wins Award for Story About Child's Open Heart Surgery
Long Strike Results in Workers' Wives Forming Freedom Club	University of Western Ontario Bestows Honorary Degrees on John Deifenbaker and Others	Lynne Harper Murdered - Stephen Truscott Arrested
Elderly Deaf Woman Refuses to Abandon Building Being Demolished	United Community Services Campaign Kicks off with Fanfare and Flypast	Senseless Vandalism as Dozens of Car Tires are Slashed
Vote Sees the End of Prohibition in Huron and Kent	Listowel Tragedy - Arena Roof Collapses Killing Eight

National and International News Stories of 1959: The Avro Arrow and its accompanying Orenda Iroquois jet engine program is abruptly cancelled sparking a long and bitter political debate. Georges Vanier, a former Canadian Soldier and diplomat, is sworn in as Governor General replacing Vincent Massey. He is the first French Canadian Governor General. Jacques Plante becomes the first goalie to wear a protective facemask. Hit in the face by a shot from New York Rangers player Andy Bathgate, Plante goes to the dressing room for stitches and returns wearing a crude goalie mask. At the opening of the American National Exhibition in Moscow Vice President Richard Nixon and Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev discuss the merits of their economic systems, capitalism vs. communism. The discussion, which takes place as the Cold War is escalating, will become known as the Kitchen Debate. The Rodgers and Hammerstein musical The Sound of Music opens at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on Broadway. It will run for 3 ½ years. It is nominated for 10 Tony awards and wins 5. In 1965 it will be made into an academy award winning motion picture starring Julie Andrews and Canadian Christopher Plummer. Fidel Castro is sworn in as Cuba's President after leading the revolution that overthrows Fulgencio Batista. Castro will continue to lead the country until 2006 when health problems result in his transferring power to his younger brother.

This Was 1959 – Year End Show 1959 (excerpts)
black and white 16mm motion picture film, silent and sound
Reference Code: F 4396-2-1-6
Archives of Ontario

This Was 1959 – Year End Show 1959 (excerpts)
news script
Reference Code: F 4396-2-2
Archives of Ontario