What Happened on 2 december 1959: A Historical Overview
December 2, 1959 was marked by several important — and tragic — events around the world. While not all are globally transformative, a few made significant impacts at local and international levels.
1. Malpasset Dam Catastrophe in France
- On this day, the Malpasset Dam in southern france collapsed catastrophically.
- The disaster resulted in a flood that killed approximately 433 people.
- The collapse highlighted critical concerns about engineering standards, dam safety, and hydrological risk management of the time.
- The tragedy also had longer-term implications: it spurred more rigorous dam construction oversight and safety protocols in france and Europe.
2. arrest of Kurt Franz
- Kurt Franz, a former deputy commander at the Treblinka concentration camp during World war II, was arrested on december 2, 1959.
- He had been living in West Germany, working as a cook for 14 years after the war.
- His arrest was part of the post-war wave of tracking down Nazi war criminals, reflecting continued efforts for justice and accountability.
- Franz was later released in 1993.
3. AromaRama Film Premiere: “Behind the Great Wall”
- On december 2, 1959, the film “Behind the Great Wall” made a rather unusual premiere at the DeMille theater in New York.
- What made it special (and odd) was the use of “AromaRama” — a system that pumped scents into the theater through air-conditioning vents, synchronizing smells with on-screen scenes.
- This was part of early experiments in multisensory cinema (smell + film), although this technique did not become mainstream.
4. Aviation Incident in brazil (Related, But on Same Date)
- According to records of aviation events in 1959, on december 2, there was a revolt in Brazil: Brazilian air Force officers hijacked a Panair do Brasil Lockheed Constellation aircraft.
- This incident was tied to political instability in brazil under President Juscelino Kubitschek. The event underscored the tense interplay of military power and politics in mid-20th century Latin America.
5. Other Minor but Notable Mentions
- In the world of baseball, a trade took place on december 2, 1959: the Baltimore Orioles traded Bob Nieman to the St. Louis Cardinals, acquiring Gene Green and other players.
- These kinds of sports transactions, while not world-historical, mattered to fans and reflected the evolving business of professional sports.
Why december 2, 1959 Is Historically Significant
Engineering Lessons from Disaster: The Malpasset Dam disaster is one of the most tragic dam failures in Europe’s modern history. It stands as a stark reminder of the importance of rigorous structural design and risk assessment.
Accountability for war Crimes: The arrest of Kurt Franz highlights post-WWII efforts to bring Nazi perpetrators to justice, even years later.
Innovation (and Experimentation) in Entertainment: The AromaRama screening represents experimentation in cinema, combining smell with visuals — a precursor to later immersive entertainment ideas.
Political Turmoil and Military Power: The hijacking in brazil reflects how military factions sometimes intervene in national politics, a recurring global phenomenon in the 20th century.
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