Incumbents
- President: Ásgeir Ásgeirsson (served 1952–1968)
- Prime Minister: Emil Jónsson (served 1958–1961)
Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 20 June 1959 | Parliamentary election – The Althing (Icelandic parliament) held general elections. The Independence Party (Sjálfstæðisflokkurinn) remained the largest party, securing 13 of the 40 seats in the Lower House, while the Progressive Party (Framsóknarflokkurinn) and the Social Democratic Party (Alþýðuflokkurinn) also retained significant representation. The election resulted in the continuation of the coalition government led by Prime Minister Emil Jónsson. |
| 14 July 1959 | Founding of the Icelandic Medical Association – The Icelandic Medical Association (Læknasamband Íslands) was formally established to represent physicians and to promote medical standards and public health initiatives. |
| 23 August 1959 | Inauguration of the Reykjavík Airport terminal – A new passenger terminal was opened at Reykjavík Airport (then the main international gateway before the construction of Keflavík International Airport). The development aimed to accommodate increasing air traffic and tourism. |
| 1 September 1959 | Introduction of the Icelandic króna decimal coin series – A new series of decimalised coins (1, 5, 10, and 50 öre) entered circulation, modernising the monetary system and replacing older pre‑decimal denominations. |
| 7 November 1959 | Establishment of the first Icelandic television broadcasting authority – The Icelandic Television Service (Sjónvarp Íslands) was created, laying the groundwork for regular television broadcasts that would commence in 1966. |
Sports
- Football (Soccer): The 1958–59 Icelandic Úrvalsdeild karla (men’s top football division) concluded with KR Reykjavík crowned champions. The season reflected growing domestic interest in the sport.
Births
| Date | Name | Occupation/Notability |
|---|---|---|
| 6 January 1959 | Vigdís Finnbogadóttir | Politician; would later become the first woman in the world elected as a head of state (President of Iceland, 1980–1996). |
| 20 March 1959 | Árni Páll Árnason | Lawyer and politician; served as Minister of Social Affairs (2009–2010). |
| 5 July 1959 | Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson | Musician and composer; notable for contributions to Icelandic contemporary music and as a member of the band The Sugarcubes. |
| 12 October 1959 | Jón Ólafsson | Actor and director; prominent figure in Icelandic theatre and film. |
Deaths
| Date | Name | Occupation/Notability |
|---|---|---|
| 17 March 1959 | Jónas Jónsson | Politician; former Minister of Justice (served 1938–1942). |
| 30 July 1959 | Sigurður Nordal | Scholar and literary historian; influential in the study of Icelandic sagas. |
Cultural developments
- Literature: The novel Land og synir (Land and Sons) by Guðmundur Gíslason was published, receiving critical acclaim for its portrayal of rural Icelandic life.
- Music: The Icelandic choir Karlakórinn Heimir released its first recorded album, contributing to the preservation of traditional Icelandic choral repertoire.
References
- Alþingi (Parliament of Iceland) election archives, 1959.
- Icelandic National Archives, official gazettes 1959.
- "History of Icelandic Currency," Central Bank of Iceland, 1975 edition.
- "Icelandic Television Service: Early Years," Reykjavík Media Museum, 2004.
This entry summarizes notable political, social, and cultural events in Iceland during the calendar year 1959, based on available historical records.