1958

The years immediately following World War II saw tremendous growth in aviation and rocketry, and a need for focused advancement. Civil pilot and mechanic aviation training boomed. In 1947, the Army Air Corps became the United States Air Force, with Strategic Air Command, a sub-division, being given the mission of nuclear deterrence.

The stage was set for growth, but the US was slow to get their asses in gear, allowing military micromanagment to run rampant and impede progress. Finally, in October 1958, the US government got a clue and split its aerospace research into two parts:

NASA:
Its mission was twofold: to carry out the peaceful exploration of space and to conduct basic aeronautical research.

and

the DOD:
Responsible for R&D in military aerospace activities.

Of course, the US is still trying to get it right to this day.

• The nuclear powered submarine USS Nautilus becomes the first vessel to cross under the North Pole.

These people were born in 1958:

• Chinese film director Wong Kar-wai.

These people died in 1958:

• Pope Pius XII.

1957 - 1958 - 1959

20th century

This is a collaboratively edited writeup. You are encouraged to assimilate and supersede it.