On this day

December 21, 1959

Revisit the news, notable people, and historical moments connected to this date.

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Headlines from December 21, 1959

Notable Births

Florence Griffith Joyner

1959Florence Griffith Joyner, American sprinter and actress (died 1998)[†]

Florence Delorez Griffith Joyner, also known as Flo-Jo, was an American track and field athlete and the fastest woman ever recorded. She was married to Al Joyner, a 1984 Olympic gold medalist in the triple jump. He was also her coach and husband during her success as a four-time Olympic medalist. They were married in 1987 until the time of her death, in 1998. They had one daughter together, Mary Joyner. Griffith Joyner set world records in 1988 for the 100 m and 200 m. During the late 1980s, she became a popular figure due to both her record-setting athleticism and eclectic personal style.

Krishnamachari Srikkanth

1959Krishnamachari Srikkanth, Indian cricketer[†]

Krishnamachari "Kris" Srikkanth, also known as Cheeka, is an Indian former cricketer and coach. He also serves as a cricket commentator. He was a hard-hitting opening batter and an occasional right arm offbreak bowler. He has served as a captain of the Indian cricket team and chairman of the men's selection committee later.

Notable Deaths

Rosanjin

1959Rosanjin, Japanese calligrapher, engraver, and painter (born 1883)[†]

Kitaōji Rosanjin was the pseudonym for a noted artist and epicure during the early to mid-Shōwa period of Japan. His real name was Kitaōji Fusajirō , but he is best known by his artistic name, Rosanjin. A man of many talents, Rosanjin was also a calligrapher, ceramicist, engraver, painter, lacquer artist and restaurateur.

Historical Context for December 21, 1959

In 1959, the world population was approximately 2,965,950,351 people[†]