1959 in Norway
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Events
- The Groningen gas field discovery in the Netherlands sparks interest in exploring hydrocarbons under the North Sea.[2]
- 16 February – The Norwegian National Opera and Ballet holds its first performance in Folketeatret in Oslo.
- 26 June – The "Farmers' Party" (Bondepartiet) changes its name to the "Centre Party" (Senterpartiet).
- 19 July – Nikita Khrushchev cancels a planned visit to Norway, among others due to an alleged anti-Soviet press coverage.
- 29 December – The Norwegian government signs the EFTA free trade treaty. Norway becomes an EFTA member.
- Municipal and county elections are held throughout the country.
Popular culture
Music
Film
Literature
- Harald Sverdrup, poet and children's writer, is awarded the Mads Wiel Nygaard's Endowment literary prize.[3]
Notable births


- 19 January
- Arne Borgstrøm, swimmer.[4]
- Sigmund Steinnes, politician (died 2018).[5]
- 27 January – Elizabeth Norberg-Schulz, operatic soprano.[6]
- 10 February – Steinar Ness, politician.[7]
- 13 February – Arne Thomassen, politician.[8]
- 23 February – Sidsel Wold, correspondent and non-fiction writer.[9]
- 27 February – Tore Sagvolden, orienteering competitor.[10]
- 9 March – Nils T. Bjørke, farmer, organisational leader and politician.[11]
- 10 March – Ruth Mari Grung, politician.[12]
- 16 March – Jens Stoltenberg, prime minister and Secretary-General of NATO[13]
- 23 March – Unni Larsen, racing cyclist and dogsled racer.[14]
- 1 April – Pål Farstad, politician.[15]
- 3 April – Hanne Bramness, poet and translator.[16]
- 10 April – Mona Juul, diplomat and politician[17]
- 2 May – Sanna Grønlid, biathlete.[18]
- 6 May – Morten Staubo, speed skater.[19]
- 14 May – Bjørn Ousland, comics writer.[20]
- 10 June – Bent Hegna, politician
- 22 June – Steffen Tangstad, boxer (died 2024).[21]
- 27 June – Thure Erik Lund, author
- 29 June – Harald Tveit Alvestrand, computer scientist
- 5 July – Synnøve Brenden Klemetrud, politician
- 8 July – Tom Egeland, author
- 27 August – Frode Fjellheim, Sami musician
- 14 September – Morten Harket, A-ha lead singer
- 29 September – Jon Fosse, author and dramatist
- 21 October – Åslaug Haga, politician and Minister
- 1 November – Pål Gerhard Olsen, author.[22]
- 7 November – Kristin Glosimot Kjelsberg, handball player.[23]
- 28 November – Lars Sørgard, economist and civil servant.[24]
- 2 December – Hans Kristian Amundsen, newspaper editor and politician (d. 2018)
- 28 December – Ragnhild Noer, judge.[25]
Notable deaths
- 21 March – Hartvig Caspar Christie, politician (born 1893)
- 17 May – Alf Grindrud, politician (born 1904)
- 16 June – Konrad Knudsen, painter, journalist and politician (born 1890)
- 3 July – Johan Bojer, novelist and dramatist (born 1872)
- 15 July – Peter Egge, writer (born 1869)
- 28 July – Roald Larsen, speed skater and Olympic silver medallist (born 1898)
- 5 September – Sigvald Hasund, researcher of agriculture, politician and Minister (born 1868)
- 21 November – Olav Meisdalshagen, politician and Minister (born 1903)
Full date unknown
- Eivind Berggrav, Lutheran bishop (born 1884)
- Sverre Grette, judge (born 1888)
- Kristian Hansson, jurist and civil servant (born 1895)
- Olaf Norli, bookseller and publisher (born 1861)
- Lars Slagsvold, veterinarian (born 1887)
- Sverre Kornelius Eilertsen Støstad, politician and Minister (born 1887)
- G. Unger Vetlesen, shipbuilder and philanthropist (born 1889)
