1959

1959 was a significant year marked by major events worldwide. In China, Mao Zedong announced the "Great Leap Forward," aiming to rapidly transform the economy, which led to widespread famine. In Cuba, Fidel Castro and his revolutionaries overthrew dictator Fulgencio Batista, beginning a new communist government. Alaska and Hawaii became U.S. states, expanding the United States. The Barbie doll was introduced, influencing culture and entertainment. Additionally, the airplane built for the Pan Am clipper began commercial transatlantic flights. These events reflect a year of political upheaval, technological progress, and cultural change shaping the modern world.