Why a tribute to 59? Well, sometime in February I turned 59, so that’s a good enough reason for me. For tributes to other numbers, see Category > Numbers in the sidebar or click here. Meanwhile, here’s more about fifty nine than you ever wanted to know.
In Language
Fifty nine is the same as padesát devět, vijftig negen, cinquante neuf, cinquanta nove, femtio nio, LIX, and more.
In Mathematics
- Fifty-nine is the 17th smallest prime number and an Eisenstein prime
- Since 15! + 1 is divisible by 59 but 59 is not one more than a multiple of 15, 59 is a Pillai prime (who would have guessed this)
- Divisible by 1 and 59
- Square root equals 7.68114574786861, but 59 squared is 3,481
In Science
- The atomic number of praseodymium, whose neutrally charged atom contains 59 protons and 59 electrons
- Messier object M59, a magnitude 11.5 galaxy in the constellation Virgo
- 59 Sagittarii is a giant bright star in the constellation Sagittarius
- The New General Catalogue object NGC 59, a magnitude 12.4 spiral galaxy in the constellation Cetus
- The Saros 59 for solar eclipse series lasted 1280.1 years (from June 1031 BC to July 249 AD) and contained 72 solar eclipses
- The Saros 39 for lunar eclipse series lasted 1298.1 years (from March 729 BC to May 569 AD) and contained 73 lunar eclipses
- 59 degrees C = 138 degrees F; but 59 degrees F = 15 degrees C
In Entertainment
- Beethoven’s Opus 59 consists of the three so-called Razumovsky Quartets
- 59, an album by Puffy AmiYumi
- The 1960s song The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy) was popularized by Simon & Garfunkel and Harpers Bizarre
- The 59 Sound, an album by The Gaslight Anthem, includes thia song of the same name
- 59 by the 1990s
- 59 is a song by djTAKA from beatmania IIDX 2nd Style and Dance Dance Revolution 4thMIX
- 59th Emmy Awards (2007) with ABC getting the most nominations
- 59th Academy Awards (1987) with winners including Platoon, Paul Newman, and Marlee Matlin
In Sports
- No retired 59s in the professional football, basketball, baseball, and hockey
- Car 59 has only raced in 18 NASCAR races – never winning, never finishing in the top 10, and only finishing the race 4 times
- Satchel Paige became the oldest major league baseball player at age 59
- 59 is a the lowest golf score in a single round on the PGA Tour, achieved by Al Geiberger, Chip Beck, David Duval, Paul Goydos, andStuart Appleby and on the LPGA Tour by Annika Sörenstam
In Geography
- The designation of Interstate 59, a freeway that runs from Louisiana to Georgia
- The designation of US-59, a highway between Minnesota and Texas
- The Queensboro Bridge in New York City is also known as the 59th Street Bridge (Feelin’ Groovy)
- Central Park South is on 59th Street in New York City
- 59th Street Manhattan
- 59th Street Manhattan forms the border between Midtown Manhattan and Uptown Manhattan. It bisects Columbus Circle and forms the southern boundary of Central Park between Fifth Avenue and Central Park West, plus it has this subway stop.
- 59th Parallel South does not intersect any land
- 59th Meridian East is also known as the Herman Cain Meridian because it goes through Uzibeki-beki-beki-bekistan
In Travel
- 59 miles is 94.951296 km, or better explained as 471.999 furlongs or 3,738,240 inches
- San Diego offers a 59-mile scenic drive
- Don’t want to drive, here’s a 59-mile paddle in Missouri
- Oh – you want to peddle? Here’s an account of a blogger’s 59-mile mountain bike trek
- In the UK, the bingo slang for 59 is ‘The Brighton Line’, after the London, Brighton & South Coast Railway
In Business
- 59 Diner in Houston
- Art of 59 – Handcrafted pedals from Luxemburg
- Marina 59 Boatel is a fleet of abandoned boats renovated by artists in Rockaway, NY
- Art Room 59, a gallery and gift shop in Fife, UK
- 59Fifty is a line of New Era hats
- 59 Productions (a media production company in the UK)
- Five Nine, an amateur radio magazine published in Japan
In 59 AD
- Started on Monday
- Nero (aka Mr. Nice Guy) ordered his mother, Agrippina the Younger, killed. Since she survived the planned shipwreck, Nero ordered her executed and then ruled her death as suicide
In 59 BC
- Caesar makes the Acta Diurna (Daily News) the world’s first public daily newspaper, which contains details of official decrees and appointments; births, deaths, and marriages. Even sport results—the outcome of the gladiatorial contests and chariot races at the capital – but no odds on upcoming gladiator matches by Jimmy the Greek
- Caesar marries Calpurnia in Rome
- Modern Florence, founded.
- Pharaoh Ptolemy XIV of Egypt born
- Prince He of Changyi, former Emperor of the Han Dynasty of China, died
Miscellaneous
- The last minute in a given hour, and the last second in a given minute
- Approximately the number of days in two lunar months
- The number on a button commonly worn by feminist activists in the 1970s; this was based on the claim that a woman earned 59 cents to an equally qualified man’s dollar
- In amateur radio, a perfect voice signal report
- Art Project 59’s ’59 Seconds Video Festival'[2] at 59 Franklin Street, showed 59 videos to 59 different audiences, each 59 seconds long and incorporating the number 59
- The number of the French department Nord
- John Swartzwelder wrote “59” episodes of The Simpsons cartoon series
- The TI-59 was a programmable calculator
- Television channel 59 broadcast from Indianapolis, IN and Ghent, WV.
- The 59th Congress served in 1905-1907 during the fifth and sixth years of the Theodore Roosevelt administration
Thanks, Frank. A very merry un-birthday to you! Love the song, especially.
I just noticed you were born in Trieste. That was the first city I visited in Italy when we were visiting friend staying there. Lovely place. Although you’d be hard-pressed to find anyplace in Italy that isn’t wonderful!
LikeLike
Elyse,
Thanks for the un-birthday wish. It’s nice getting a second round of them. 🙂
Glad to hear that you have been to Trieste. Here’s one of my favorite all-time posts from the pre-Elyse era. You’ll appreciate both videos. Thanks for commenting.
LikeLike
No, Frank, no. You forgot the posts or the videos. How will I sleep?
And there was a time before me? I don’t remember it.
LikeLike
A big DUH on my part. I copied the link, but forgot to paste it! I thought about doing it again here, but truth be known, I’m scared of you. 🙂 Here ya go … and please forgive me for any loss of sleep.
LikeLike
’59, probably the last year you could understand the words in any rock ‘n roll song. Happy 59. I’m 5 behind.
LikeLike
Randel,
Now that’s funny! Many thanks for the un-birthday wishes! Here is a post for you. https://afrankangle.wordpress.com/2010/12/29/on-54/ … Thanks for commenting.
LikeLike
A mega factoid, I love it. And it doesn’t matter how old you are, if you’re feeling groovy you’re doing okay. Long may you groove man!
LikeLike
Fascab,
LOL … and a great way to look at life! Glad you enjoyed this and thanks for visiting.
LikeLike
Some interesting facts…..Awesome idea for a blog!!!
LikeLike
Cee,
My wife accuses me of focusing on focusing on worthless information … is this evidence? Thanks for commenting.
LikeLike
Great post. I love your numbers tributes. Great work. happy belated…
LikeLike
Mobius,
Un-birthday greetings are always welcome – and glad you enjoy these (FYI: Another one is in the works). Thanks for stopping by.
LikeLike
Hi,
Loved all the info on 59, just amazing. 😀
Had to laugh at this one:
“Since 15! + 1 is divisible by 59 but 59 is not one more than a multiple of 15, 59 is a Pillai prime (who would have guessed this)”
Who would of guessed indeed, not me I don’t even understand it. 😆
Loved the song, brilliant. 😀
LikeLike
Mags,
You just made my day because I didn’t understand it either! 🙂 🙂 🙂 LMAO!!! Many, many thanks.
LikeLike
Whoa! Great idea and tribute to 59. Happy belated birthday!
(Did you pitch this to Sesame Street for an episode….I can just see Cookie Monster and the Count doing parts…)
Seriously what a collection.
Oh, the 59 Diner near us closed.
Highway 59 goes out of Houston past Cleveland and Kingwood, on to Lufkin and Nacogdoches on up towards Arkansas…it goes south-ish of Houston towards Mexico. Busy road.
Interesting post
LikeLike
Mouse,
Oh no … say it ain’t so … 59 Diner is closed?!?!?!? All locations? Sesame Street pitch is a hoot of an idea. And knowing the highway 59 is the road to Nacogdoches is the basis for a great song. Too bad I’m not a song writer. Someone needs to get this idea to Willy Nelson! Thanks for my un-birthday greeting and for commenting.
LikeLike
If I read it 59 times I would not understand some of the science and math!
LikeLike
Frank,
Just because it is here doesn’t mean I understand it either! Heck, some of the stuff I don’t use is a big HUH? Thanks for visiting and the chuckle.
LikeLike
Happy 59th birthday. I watched those Academy Awards and was so thrilled for Paul Newman who had been nominated SOOOOO many times before. Such a shame he chose not to attend. That would have been such a great moment for him. xx
LikeLike
Spiced,
Wow … you remember that specific Academy Awards show? I’m impressed. Thanks for adding more to the story. 🙂
LikeLike
I am 59 this year too–but you are the only person I am admitting it to–who knew it was such a busy number
LikeLike
LouAnn,
Woo hoo! We went to different schools together!!! So this post is for you too! Thanks for visiting.
LikeLike
lol – good way to look at it
LikeLike
As you know, our class was so big that there was no way everyone knew each other.
LikeLike
are you sure I did not sit behind you in English?
LikeLike
There was a LuAnn in my English class, but no LouAnn.
LikeLike
lol again
LikeLike
Whoa!!! The amazing number 59! Happy Belated! My birthday is also in February, but you have the jump on my by two years 🙂
LikeLike
Zannyro,
Many thanks for my un-birthday greeting. Cheers to a fellow Februarian. Aquarius or Pisces? Meanwhile, here’s one for you. https://afrankangle.wordpress.com/2010/02/26/on-57/ … Thanks for visiting.
LikeLike
OH MY GOSH!!! First of all, Pisces…Secondly, WOW!!
HOW DO YOU COME UP WITH ALL OF THIS INFO?
JUST AMAZING!….
THIRDLY…..SOUND THE TRUMPETS….
MY BIRTHDAY IS THE 26th!
LikeLike
Ah ha … another fish who can’t do without water … and that’s what I tell my wife who is a Pisces.
Actually, the info is easy to find. I start with the basic info, delete and edit it, and then start adding whatever pops into my mind to search.
Oh wait … wasn’t the link in my previous response dated the 26th?!?!?!?
LikeLike
TA-DA! EXACTLY 🙂
LikeLike
Great post. Frank. So much research. I am definitely hiring you for something. I just don’t know what yet.
LikeLike
Les,
Knowing that I’m on the short list for something unknown is a privilege. Thanks for commenting.
LikeLike
Impressive! This post took a little work, but you’ve submitted some rather fascinating facts! Love the 59th Street Bridge Song…and you figured out that 59 A.D. started on a Monday? Now there’s a quirky fact 🙂 Debra
LikeLike
Debra,
Gotta have the sources, but these posts aren’t spontaneous … but if it’s quirky, I like it! Thanks for visiting.
LikeLike
Oh My this is a winkipedia on 59..amazing facts loved them
hey if you were in Uzibeki-beki-beki-bekistan it would be a great celebration 🙂
I am 3 months too late but In my defense i am a sloth i have a reputation to maintain
Happy birthday 🙂
LikeLike
Soma the Sloth,
Now that has an interesting ring! 🙂 As another commenter called it, this is my un-birthday. I’ve never done a birthday greeting to myself on my birthday, but I might next year. Oh no, according to this report, in some parts of Uzbekistan I can’t celebrate my birthday! Oh well … there goes a future birthday trip. Thanks for commenting.
LikeLike
WOW! This is so beautiful post… I really enjoyed reading them. And also I am going to print this page, you did great job. I loved it so much. By the way I supposed that you are younger than me 🙂 Thank you, with my love, nia
LikeLike
Nia,
These are fun to do, so glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for commenting.
LikeLike
I was starting to get especially impressed, thinking that you had made 59 bullet points about 59…. but, alas, you made 61 😛 Better luck next year! What a great megadose of trivia!
LikeLike
Twixt,
Oh my … I’ve never thought about that connection. Should I delete two? Thanks for visiting.
LikeLike
Talk about taking something to the limit 🙂
LikeLike
Hansi,
Thanks for commenting, but I know there was more to find! 🙂
LikeLike
That is a lot of Fun filled Facts about the number 59! Happy UnBirthday or Belated Birthday! :+) May all your days be filled with Wonder.
I enjoyed the video classic.
LikeLike
Starla,
Many thanks for the un-birthday greeting and for commenting. 🙂
LikeLike
I’m not ready to admit to the 59 . . . oops! Loved the post, Frank, especially the Groovy song 🙂
LikeLike
Lynn,
Oh my … another classmate as we went to different schools together! Simon and Garfunkel do bring back memories. Thanks for commenting.
LikeLike
Happy belated birthday Frank!!!
And you are in the company of some wonderful facts to accompany you!
Until you get a whole new set next year…
LikeLike
Guapo,
Many thanks for my un-birthday greeting. Your beloved Big Apple made the list a few times! Meanwhile, with next year being a milestone, maybe I will post it on my actual birthday. Maybe I should limit it to 60 facts about 60. Oh well … time will tell. Thanks for commenting.
LikeLike
What an original way to celebrate another year of your life. Hope you enjoy the year leading up to 60.
LikeLike
Colline,
LOL … thanks … and checking the archives will show that I have dedicated various other numbers – and the next one already is in the research stage. Glad you enjoyed this and thanks for visiting.
LikeLike