On This Day

Franz Jonas elected President of Austria

Franz Josef Jonas (4 October 1899 – 24 April 1974) was an Austrian politician who served as the president of Austria between 1965 and 1974 as a member of the Socialist Party of Austria.

Franz Josef Jonas (4 October 1899 – 24 April 1974) was an Austrian politician who served as the president of Austria between 1965 and 1974 as a member of the Socialist Party of Austria. He previously served as mayor of Vienna from 1951 to 1965 while simultaneously serving in the Austrian Parliament. Jonas first entered politics as a young adult while he was working as a typesetter, joining the Socialist Youth Movement and the Printers' Union. He served on the town council of Floridsdorf beginning in 1945 and was then placed in command of Vienna's food supply and housing in 1948 and 1949, respectively. Jonas took interest in international affairs, making several international trips as mayor and as president.

Historical Significance

Franz Josef Jonas (4 October 1899 – 24 April 1974) was an Austrian politician who served as the president of Austria between 1965 and 1974 as a member of the Socialist Party of Austria.

Events Before

  1. First government report by US Surgeon General Luther Terry warning that smoking may be hazardous

    First government report by US Surgeon General Luther Terry warning that smoking may be hazardous

  2. American MLB baseball player Pete Rose (22) weds first wife Karolyn Englehardt; divorce in 1980

    American MLB baseball player Pete Rose (22) weds first wife Karolyn Englehardt; divorce in 1980

  3. "Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb", political satire film directed by Stanley Kubric

    "Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb", political satire film directed by Stanley Kubrick, and starring Peter Sellers and George C. Scott, premieres

  4. First appearance of the Beatles on "The Ed Sullivan Show", live from New York; broadcast draws 73.7 million television v

    First appearance of the Beatles on "The Ed Sullivan Show", live from New York; broadcast draws 73.7 million television viewers

  5. Billy Rose and Joyce Mathews divorce again

    Billy Rose (born William Samuel Rosenberg; September 6, 1899 – February 10, 1966) was an American impresario, theatrical showman, lyricist and columnist.

Events After

  1. 12-day New York City transit worker strike halts subway and bus services

    A 1980 transit strike in New York City halted service on the New York City Transit Authority (a subsidiary of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority) for the first time since 1966.

  2. The Beatles' album "Rubber Soul" goes to #1 and stays there for six weeks, while the single "We Can Work It Out" also ch

    The Beatles' album "Rubber Soul" goes to #1 and stays there for six weeks, while the single "We Can Work It Out" also charts at #1 for three weeks

  3. "Batman", starring Adam West as Batman, Burt Ward as Robin, and Cesar Romero as the Joker, debuts on ABC

    Batman is an American comedy television series based on the DC Comics character of the same name.

  4. Indira Gandhi is elected India's first female prime minister

    Indira Gandhi was an Indian stateswoman who served as the prime minister of India from 1966 to 1977 and again from 1980 until her assassination in 1984.

  5. Quiet Beatle George Harrison (22) weds British model Pattie Boyd (21) at the registry office in Epsom, Surrey, England,

    Quiet Beatle George Harrison (22) weds British model Pattie Boyd (21) at the registry office in Epsom, Surrey, England, Paul serves as best man; divorce in 1977

More from the 1960s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on May 23, 1965?
Franz Josef Jonas (4 October 1899 – 24 April 1974) was an Austrian politician who served as the president of Austria between 1965 and 1974 as a member of the Socialist Party of Austria. He previously served as mayor of Vienna from 1951 to 1965 while simultaneously serving in the Austrian Parliament. Jonas first entered politics as a young adult while he was working as a typesetter, joining the Socialist Youth Movement and the Printers' Union.
Why is Franz Jonas elected President of Austria significant?
Franz Josef Jonas (4 October 1899 – 24 April 1974) was an Austrian politician who served as the president of Austria between 1965 and 1974 as a member of the Socialist Party of Austria.

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