Dick Clark and Frankie Avalon!!

Some statistics from 1959

US GDP (1998 dollars):  $507.2 billion
Federal spending:  $92.10 billion
Federal debt: $287.5 billion
Consumer Price Index:  29.1
Unemployment:  6.8%
Cost of a first-class stamp:  $0.04

Cuban President Batista resigns and flees (Jan. 1). Fidel Castro assumes power (Feb. 16).

Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev tours the United States, meeting with Eisenhower at Camp David.

Alaska (Jan. 3) and Hawaii (Aug. 21) become the 49th and 50th states.

St. Lawrence Seaway opens, allowing ocean ships to reach Midwest (April 25).

World Series: LA Dodgers defeated Chicago White Sox (4-2)
NBA Championship: Boston defeated Minneapolis Lakers (4-0)
Kentucky Derby Champion: Tomy Lee
NCAA Basketball Championship: California defeated West Virginia (71-70)
NCAA Football Champions: Syracuse (11-0-0)

The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences sponsors the first Grammy Award ceremony for music recorded in 1958.

Rumors of cheating on quiz shows erupt into a national scandal.

Best Picture: Gigi
Best Actor: David Niven, Separate Tables
Best Supporting Actor: Burl Ives, The Big Country
Best Actress:Susan Hayward, I Want to Live!
Best Supporting Actress: Wendy Hiller, Separate Tables
Best Director: Vincente Minnelli, Gigi