1958

1958 was a year in the Gregorian calendar, the dating system most widely used internationally. It fell during the Cold War, the political rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union, and coincided with a period of decolonization across Africa.

The year is marked by political upheaval in Europe and the Middle East, technological advances in space exploration, and the expansion of economic cooperation institutions in Europe.

World politics

France underwent a constitutional change in 1958. The Fourth Republic was established following a crisis linked to the Algerian War, and Charles de Gaulle returned to power. A new constitution was adopted, which granted expanded authority to the presidency.

In the Middle East, Egypt and Syria formed a union called the United Arab Republic. Iraq experienced a military coup that ended the monarchy, significantly altering regional balance.

Europe and economics

The Treaty of Rome, signed in 1957, began to take effect in early 1958. This brought into operation the European Economic Community (EEC), which was the direct predecessor to the European Union as it exists today.

Science and space

Following the Soviet Union's launch of the Sputnik satellite in 1957, the United States initiated a national space program in 1958 and established the NASA agency. That year also marked the International Geophysical Year, a coordinated global scientific research effort.