Historical Events
North by Northwest
"North by Northwest" directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint premieres in Los Angeles
- 2,000 ft long by 1,300 foot wide section of ridge falls into Madis
Scientific Discovery
Paleoanthropologist Mary Leakey discovers partial skull of a new species of early human ancestor, Zinjanthropus boisei or 'Zinj' (now called Paranthropus boisei) lived in Africa almost 2 million years ago
- River Canyon extending man-made Lake Hebgen by 5 miles. (Montana)
- Tibet abolishes serfdom
Famous Birthdays
- Janet Lynn Kavandi, American scientist and NASA astronaut (sk:STS 91), born in Carthage, Missouri
Famous Deaths
Billie Holiday (1915-1959)
American jazz singer ("I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm"; "Strange Fruit"), and songwriter ("God Bless The Child"; "Lady Sings the Blues"), dies of cirrhosis of the liver at 44
- Eugene Meyer, American businessman and newspaper publisher (b. 1875)
- Henri Pourrat, French writer (Le chasseur de la nuit), dies at 72
About July 17, 1959
Day of the Week: Friday
How Long Ago? 64 years, 2 months and 11 days
Leap Year: No
Generation: Baby Boomer
Chinese Zodiac: Pig
Star Sign: Cancer
Music Charts
#1 Song: Lonely Boy - Paul Anka
#1 Song: Dream Lover - Bobby Darin
