APRIL 21, 1959

TUESDAY
$1,000 INVESTED IN COKE STOCK (KO) IN 1959
WOULD HAVE MADE YOU $2,583,736 IN THE 2025 DATASET
Min_Wage_Hourly: $0.98
Median_Home_Price: $11,450.00
Gas_Price_Avg: $0.31
Bread_Price_Avg: $0.21
Movie_Ticket_Avg: $0.67
First_Class_Stamp: $0.04
Milk_Price_Avg: $0.97
Top Movies From 1959
1 Ben-Hur
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Ben-Hur
2 Sleeping Beauty
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Sleeping Beauty
3 Some Like It Hot
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Some Like It Hot
4 Pillow Talk
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Pillow Talk
5 Imitation of Life
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Imitation of Life
6 Suddenly, Last Summer
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Suddenly, Last Summer
7 Operation Petticoat
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Operation Petticoat
8 North by Northwest
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North by Northwest
9 Rio Bravo
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Rio Bravo
10 Anatomy of a Murder
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Anatomy of a Murder
The Diary of Anne Frank
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The Diary of Anne Frank
Al Capone
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Al Capone
The Hanging Tree
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The Hanging Tree
Compulsion
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Compulsion
The Buccaneer
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The Buccaneer
The Giant Behemoth
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The Giant Behemoth
Separate Tables
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Separate Tables
Bell, Book and Candle
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Bell, Book and Candle
Some Came Running
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Some Came Running
The Last Hurrah
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The Last Hurrah
The 7th Voyage of Sinbad
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The 7th Voyage of Sinbad
Auntie Mame
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Auntie Mame
The Geisha Boy
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The Geisha Boy
The Naked Maja
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The Naked Maja
April 21, 1959 Trivia
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Television On April 21, 1959
Perry Mason poster
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Perry Mason
Bonanza poster
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Bonanza
The Twilight Zone poster
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The Twilight Zone
The Rifleman poster
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The Rifleman
Lassie poster
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Lassie
Tony Awards poster
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Tony Awards
Wagon Train poster
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Wagon Train
Black Saddle poster
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Black Saddle
Johnny Staccato poster
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Johnny Staccato
The Story of April 21, 1959

On April 21, 1959, Indonesia lifted its ban on the press, a significant step towards greater freedom of expression in a country that had experienced heavy censorship under President Sukarno.

Inventions & Breakthroughs of April 1959

Gadgets, lab surprises, odd bets, and future-shocks from this slice of the calendar.

1 Integrated Circuit Production
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Integrated Circuit Production
2 Weather Satellite Launch
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Weather Satellite Launch
3 Computer Mouse Concept
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Computer Mouse Concept
4 Artificial Intelligence Language (LISP)
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Artificial Intelligence Language (LISP)
5 Commercial Laser Prototype
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Commercial Laser Prototype
6 Jet Turbofan Engine
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Jet Turbofan Engine
7 Automatic Dishwasher
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Automatic Dishwasher
8 Medical CAT Scan Concept
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Medical CAT Scan Concept
9 Digital Watch Prototype
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Digital Watch Prototype
10 Satellite Communication Relay
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Satellite Communication Relay

The Sounds of

Popular recordings and roots/country selections associated with the year

HEADLINES ON April 21, 1959

Full News Archive

  • Headline: Press Freedom Restored in Indonesia. Impact: This seemingly innocuous event led to a surge in freedom of expression, which eventually inspired the creation of countless memes and social media influencers who would go on to dominate the digital landscape. Who knew freeing the press would pave the way for TikTok dances?. Fact: Did you know that before this, journalists were often treated like spies? Turns out, they just wanted to report the news, not steal state secrets..
  • Headline: Nkrumah's Historic Voyage to Guinea. Impact: Nkrumah's trip to Guinea was the start of many African leaders engaging in pan-Africanism, which eventually led to the rise of a zillion conferences that accomplished... well, a lot of talking and not much action. But hey, at least they had snacks!. Fact: Did you know that sailing to another country is a great way to avoid awkward political meetings? Just ask Nkrumah!.
  • Headline: Schenley Units Lose Antitrust Appeal. Impact: This ruling set a precedent that paved the way for corporate America to create countless shell companies. Thanks to this, we now have a thriving industry of lawyers who specialize in keeping companies one step ahead of justice. Cheers to capitalism!. Fact: Did you know that dissolving a company is like hitting the reset button on a game? Unfortunately, the only thing getting reset here was the public’s trust..
  • Headline: Music: Sixth Showcase; Works of Piston and Chavez Presented. Impact: This showcase marked the beginning of a long-standing tradition of showcasing underappreciated composers, which eventually led to the hipster revolution. Because who doesn’t want to sip overpriced lattes while listening to obscure symphonies?. Fact: Did you know that Piston and Chavez's works are still performed today? Because nothing says 'I love classical music' like pretending to understand it at a dinner party..
  • Headline: College Official Joins Board of Little & Ives. Impact: This event sparked a wave of college officials joining boards across the nation, leading to universities becoming breeding grounds for corporate puppets. Who knew that an education could lead to a career in power plays and backdoor deals?. Fact: Did you know that being on a board is basically just a fancy way of saying 'I have a lot of meetings and very little responsibility'?.
  • Headline: RYE REZONES LAND FOR MANUFACTURING. Impact: This zoning change opened the floodgates for industrial development, leading to an era where nature was slowly replaced by factories. As they say, nothing screams progress like a good ol' manufacturing plant!. Fact: Did you know that zoning changes often lead to urban sprawl? Thanks to this, we can now enjoy traffic jams while staring at a lovely view of the backside of a factory..
  • Headline: COMMONS REJECTS PENSION CRITICISM; Censure of Government for Not Raising Stipends Is Defeated, 319 to 256. Impact: This vote was a pivotal moment that ensured generations would continue to struggle with pensions, leading to a national pastime of arguing about retirement funds. Because who doesn’t love a good debate over money they may never see?. Fact: Did you know that the only thing more certain than government pension debates is the fact that politicians will always find a way to dodge responsibility?.
  • Headline: DUVALIER DEFENDS HAITI DICTATORSHIP. Impact: Duvalier’s defense of his regime solidified a legacy of dictatorship that would haunt Haiti for decades, leading to a cycle of political instability. The ripple effect? A whole generation learned that 'dictator' is just a fancy title for 'really bad manager.'. Fact: Did you know that Duvalier’s regime was marked by human rights abuses? It’s like the worst kind of reality show that no one wanted to watch..
  • Headline: JAPAN GETS APPEAL; Khrushchev Calls on Tokyo for Neutralist Policy. Impact: Khrushchev’s call for a neutral Japan set the stage for decades of diplomatic balancing acts, and who knew it would eventually lead to sushi becoming a global sensation? Nothing like a side of political tension with your sushi roll!. Fact: Did you know that Japan’s neutrality during the Cold War was like being the kid at school who doesn’t pick sides during a cafeteria food fight? They just wanted to enjoy their bento box in peace..
  • Headline: 8 WIN FELLOWSHIPS; Music Students to Attend 1959 Casals Festival. Impact: These fellowships not only allowed aspiring musicians to shine, but they also inadvertently created a culture of elitism in music, leading to the rise of pretentious concerts where attendees nod knowingly at pieces they’ve never heard. Bravo!. Fact: Did you know that attending music festivals can often lead to existential crises? Especially when you realize your talent is limited to karaoke nights..

Wall Street Time Machine

The Right Call: If you'd invested $1,000 in any one of these companies in 1959, here's what the stored 2025 dataset estimates.
Rank #1
JNJ
Johnson & Johnson
Price in 1959
$0.06
2025 dataset value
$3,433,940

Johnson & Johnson - If you invested $1,000 in 1959, it would be worth $3,433,940 today (3433.9x return)

Rank #2
PG
Procter & Gamble
Price in 1959
$0.25
2025 dataset value
$586,657

Procter & Gamble - If you invested $1,000 in 1959, it would be worth $586,657 today (586.7x return)

Rank #3
MO
Philip Morris
Price in 1959
$0.00
2025 dataset value
$23,651,341

Philip Morris - If you invested $1,000 in 1959, it would be worth $23,651,341 today (23651.3x return)

🦸 Top 5 Comics
The Flash #105
The Flash #105
$2,000
Showcase #22
Showcase #22
$50
Adventure Comics #260
Adventure Comics #260
$500
Journey into Mystery #53
Journey into Mystery #53
$8,000
Tales to Astonish #1
Tales to Astonish #1
$475
🧸 Top 5 Toys
Barbie Doll
Barbie Doll
$150.00
Chatty Cathy Doll
Chatty Cathy Doll
$425.00
View-Master
View-Master
$40.00
Colorforms
Colorforms
$250.00
Etch A Sketch
Etch A Sketch
$75.00
⚾ Top 5 Trading Cards
1959 Topps Mickey Mantle #10
1959 Topps Mickey Mantle #10
$500,000
1959 Barbie Number 1 Card
1959 Barbie Number 1 Card
$83,000
1959 Fleer Ted Williams #5 Ted’s Idol β€˜Babe Ruth’
1959 Fleer Ted Williams #5 Ted’s Idol β€˜Babe Ruth’
$350
1959 Swedish Rekord Journal Wayne Gretzky
1959 Swedish Rekord Journal Wayne Gretzky
$75,000
1959 Bazooka Baseball Card #4 Willie Mays
1959 Bazooka Baseball Card #4 Willie Mays
$250,000