World Events in 1958
Munich air disaster
On 6 February 1958, a plane carrying the Manchester United football team crashed on its third attempt to take off from a slush-covered runway in Munich. Eight players, three club staff, and eight journalists were among the 23 dead. Manager Matt Busby was given the last rites but survived and rebuilt the team.
Formation of the United Arab Republic
Egypt and Syria merged to form the United Arab Republic on 1 February 1958, with Gamal Abdel Nasser as president. It was the high-water mark of pan-Arab nationalism. The union dissolved in 1961 when Syria withdrew after a military coup.
Notting Hill race riots
In late August and September 1958, white mobs attacked West Indian residents in the Notting Hill area of London. The violence lasted several days and resulted in over 100 arrests. The riots exposed deep racial tensions in post-war Britain and eventually inspired the founding of the Notting Hill Carnival.
CND founded and first Aldermaston March
The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament was founded in February 1958, with philosopher Bertrand Russell as its president. At Easter, thousands marched from London to the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment at Aldermaston in Berkshire. The CND peace symbol, designed by Gerald Holtom, became one of the most recognised logos in the world.
Fifth French Republic established
The crisis in Algeria brought Charles de Gaulle back to power and led to the establishment of the Fifth Republic. A new constitution was approved by referendum in September, giving the presidency greatly enhanced powers. De Gaulle was elected the first President of the Fifth Republic in December.
Music in 1958
"It's All in the Game"
Tommy Edwards
This silky ballad topped the charts on both sides of the Atlantic. The melody was actually composed in 1911 by Charles Dawes, who served as US Vice President in the 1920s.
"It's All in the Game"
Tommy Edwards
Tommy Edwards' re-recorded version of this classic spent six weeks at number one on the Billboard chart, becoming the biggest hit of his career and a timeless pop standard.
#1 Film of 1958
South Pacific
Box Office: $36 million (worldwide)
The film adaptation of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Broadway musical was the highest-grossing film of 1958. Shot on location in Hawaii, it featured classic songs like 'Some Enchanted Evening' and dealt with themes of racial prejudice.
Born in 1958
Michael Jackson
The King of Pop — best-selling music artist of all time
Madonna
The Queen of Pop — singer, actress, and cultural icon
Prince
Pioneering musician, singer, and multi-instrumentalist
Kate Bush
Visionary English singer-songwriter known for Wuthering Heights and Running Up That Hill
Gary Oldman
Oscar-winning actor known for Darkest Hour, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, and the Dark Knight trilogy
Lost in 1958
Roger Byrne
Manchester United and England football captain, killed at Munich
Age 28
Duncan Edwards
Manchester United prodigy, considered the greatest talent of his generation, killed at Munich
Age 21
Pope Pius XII
Head of the Catholic Church throughout World War II
Age 82
Ralph Vaughan Williams
One of England's greatest composers, known for The Lark Ascending
Age 85
Technology in 1958
The jet age arrived for transatlantic passengers as both BOAC (de Havilland Comet 4) and Pan Am (Boeing 707) launched commercial jet services across the Atlantic. NASA was established to coordinate America's space programme after the Sputnik shock. The integrated circuit was independently invented by Jack Kilby at Texas Instruments and Robert Noyce at Fairchild Semiconductor.
- ● NASA established by the National Aeronautics and Space Act
- ● First transatlantic jet passenger services by BOAC and Pan Am
- ● Jack Kilby invents the integrated circuit at Texas Instruments
- ● USS Nautilus completes the first submarine voyage under the North Pole
Cost of Living in 1958
| Item | UK | US |
|---|---|---|
| Average house price | £2,300 | $10,500 |
| Average salary | £590/year | $4,250/year |
| Pint of milk | 4d | $0.25 |
| Loaf of bread | 6d | $0.19 |
| Dozen eggs | 3s 6d | $0.62 |
| Pint of beer | 1s 5d | $0.43 |
| Gallon of petrol/gas | 4s 2d | $0.31 |
| Cinema ticket | 2s 3d | $0.65 |
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The Zeitgeist of 1958
The jet age transformed travel as BOAC began transatlantic jet services. The Munich air disaster devastated Manchester United and shocked the sporting world. Race riots in Notting Hill and Nottingham exposed ugly tensions in a changing Britain. The hula hoop became a worldwide craze, selling 100 million in its first year. Elvis was drafted into the US Army, and Cliff Richard emerged as Britain's answer to American rock and roll.
In the News in 1958
The Munich air disaster killed 23 people, including eight Manchester United players. The Notting Hill race riots brought racial violence to British streets. The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) was founded, and the first Aldermaston March took place. NASA was established by the United States government.