Year 1956 in History

A New Year's event causes panic and stampedes at Yahiko Shrine in central Niigata, Japan, killing 124 people

RCA records releases Elvis Presley's single "Heartbreak Hotel", his first million-seller (written by Mae Boren Axton and

RCA records releases Elvis Presley's single "Heartbreak Hotel", his first million-seller (written by Mae Boren Axton and Tommy Durden)

Nikita Khrushchev denounces Joseph Stalin at the 20th Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union

Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin (né Dzhugashvili; 18 December [O.S. 6 December] 1878 – 5 March 1953) was a Georgian-born Soviet revolutionary and politician who led the Soviet Union from 1924 until his…

French-Moroccan Agreement signed in Paris rescinds the Treaty of Fez, declaring independence of Morocco from France

Dutch swimmer Cockie Gastelaars breaks a 20-year-old world record for the 100m freestyle (1:04.2)

Prime Minister of Australia Bob Hawke (26) weds first wife Hazel Masterson (26) at Perth Trinity Church in Australia

American western film "The Searchers" is released directed by John Ford and starring John Wayne and Natalie Wood

The Searchers is a 1956 American epic Western film directed by John Ford and written by Frank S. Nugent, based on the 1954 novel by Alan Le May.

British "The Doors of Perception" author Aldous Huxley (62) weds second wife, American musician and author Laura Archera

British "The Doors of Perception" author Aldous Huxley (62) weds second wife, American musician and author Laura Archera (45), until his death in 1963

American film actress Grace Kelly (26) weds Prince Rainier III of Monaco (33) in a civil ceremony at the Prince's Palace

American film actress Grace Kelly (26) weds Prince Rainier III of Monaco (33) in a civil ceremony at the Prince's Palace in Monaco-Ville, Monaco

American film actress Grace Kelly (26) weds Monaco's Prince Rainier III (33) in a religious ceremony at Saint Nicholas C

American film actress Grace Kelly (26) weds Monaco's Prince Rainier III (33) in a religious ceremony at Saint Nicholas Cathedral in Monaco-Ville, Monaco

Elvis Presley's first hit record, "Heartbreak Hotel," reaches #1

"Heartbreak Hotel" is a song recorded by the American singer Elvis Presley. It was released as a single on January 27, 1956, Presley's first on his new record label RCA Victor.

First modern container ship, the Ideal X, leaves Port Newark, New Jersey for Houston, Texas

Undefeated world heavyweight boxing champion Rocky Marciano retires from the ring

9th Cannes Film Festival: "The Silent World" directed by Jacques Cousteau and Louis Malle wins the Palme d'Or

Swedish actress Anita Ekberg (24) weds actor and singer Anthony Steel (36) in Florence, Italy; divorce in 1959

1st Eurovision Song Contest: Lys Assia for Switzerland wins singing "Refrain" in Lugano

The Eurovision Song Contest 1956, originally titled the Gran premio Eurovisione 1956 della canzone europea (English: Grand Prix of the Eurovision song competition 1956; French: Grand prix Eurovision…

British actress Joan Collins (23) divorces Northern Irish actor Maxwell Reed (37)

Three-time Olympic Champion figure skater Sonja Henie (44) weds Norwegian shipping magnate and art patron Niels Onstad (

Three-time Olympic Champion figure skater Sonja Henie (44) weds Norwegian shipping magnate and art patron Niels Onstad (47)

The last British troops leave the Suez Canal Zone in Egypt

The Suez Crisis, also known as the second Arab–Israeli war, the Tripartite Aggression in the Arab world and the Sinai War in Israel, was a British–French–Israeli invasion of Egypt in 1956.

MLB Commissioner Ford Frick inaugurates Cy Young Award, to honor baseball's outstanding pitcher of the season

American "Newsweek" journalist Ben Bradlee (34) weds American socialite Antoinette Pinchot (32), the second marriage for

American "Newsweek" journalist Ben Bradlee (34) weds American socialite Antoinette Pinchot (32), the second marriage for both; divorce in 1975

RCA releases Elvis Presley's single "Hound Dog," a cover of Big Mama Thornton's original, written by Jerry Leiber and Mi

RCA releases Elvis Presley's single "Hound Dog," a cover of Big Mama Thornton's original, written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, backed with "Don't Be Cruel," written by Otis Blackwell

Elvis Presley's "Hound Dog" and "Don't Be Cruel" reach #1 on the charts, staying for 11 weeks (a record for a single rel

Elvis Presley's "Hound Dog" and "Don't Be Cruel" reach #1 on the charts, staying for 11 weeks (a record for a single release) [1]

American socialite Gloria Vanderbilt (32) weds "12 Angry Men" director Sidney Lumet (32), her third marriage, his second

American socialite Gloria Vanderbilt (32) weds "12 Angry Men" director Sidney Lumet (32), her third marriage, his second: divorce in 1963

17th Venice Film Festival opens: no Golden Lion awarded

Elvis Presley's first appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show"

The Ed Sullivan Show is an American television variety show that ran on CBS from June 20, 1948, to March 28, 1971, and was hosted by New York entertainment columnist Ed Sullivan.

IBM introduces the RAMAC 305, the first commercial computer with a hard drive featuring magnetic disk storage, which wei

IBM introduces the RAMAC 305, the first commercial computer with a hard drive featuring magnetic disk storage, which weighs over a ton

Scientist Albert Sabin announces that his oral polio vaccine is ready for testing; it soon replaces Jonas Salk's vaccine

Scientist Albert Sabin announces that his oral polio vaccine is ready for testing; it soon replaces Jonas Salk's vaccine in many parts of the world

South African politician "Kobie" Coetsee marries Helena E Malan

MLB player Roger Maris (22) weds high school sweetheart Pat Carvell at St. Anthony Padua Church

NBC anchors Chet Huntley and David Brinkley first team up on "The Huntley–Brinkley Report"

American jazz saxophonist Stan Getz (29) weds second wife, Swedish student Monica Silfverskiold (22) in Las Vegas, Nevad

American jazz saxophonist Stan Getz (29) weds second wife, Swedish student Monica Silfverskiold (22) in Las Vegas, Nevada; separate in 1981, divorce in 1988

Britain and France land airborne forces at Port Said in Egypt, escalating the Suez Crisis

The Suez Crisis, also known as the second Arab–Israeli war, the Tripartite Aggression in the Arab world and the Sinai War in Israel, was a British–French–Israeli invasion of Egypt in 1956.

"The Nat King Cole Show" debuts on NBC, the first variety program to be hosted by an African-American

Nathaniel Adams Coles (March 17, 1919 – February 15, 1965), known professionally as Nat King Cole, was an American singer, jazz pianist, and actor.

US Supreme Court rules racial segregation on buses in Alabama unconstitutional

NBA player Bill Russell (22) weds college sweetheart Rose Swisher; divorce in 1973

The French Communist Party wins the French parliamentary elections

The French Communist Party (French: Parti Communiste Français; abbreviated PCF) has been a part of the political scene in France since 1920, peaking in strength around the end of World War II.

A fire damages the top part of the Eiffel Tower.

Federal court bars former Little League Commissioner Carl Stotz from forming a rival group

Indian batsman Vinoo Mankad scores 231 v NZ, 413 opening stand with Roy

Bollingen Prize for poetry awarded to Conrad Aiken

Conrad Potter Aiken (August 5, 1889 – August 17, 1973) was an American writer and poet, honored with a Pulitzer Prize and a National Book Award, and was United States Poet Laureate from 1950 to 1952.

Abigail Van Buren's "Dear Abby" advice column 1st appears in newspapers

FBi arrests 6 members of the Great Brink's robbery gang, 6 days before statute of limitations runs out

The Great Brink's Robbery was an armed robbery of the Brink's building in the North End of Boston, Massachusetts, on January 17, 1950.

Dmitri Shostakovich appointed honorary member of Academia Santa Cecilia

German Democratic Republic (East Germany) forms own army (National People's Army)

The National People's Army were the armed forces of the German Democratic Republic (DDR) from 1956 until 1990. The NVA was organized into four branches: the Landstreitkräfte (Ground Forces), the...

30 people die in a train crash in Los Angeles

96.5 cm precipitation at Kilauea Plantation, Hawaii (state record)

96.5 cm (38.0") of rainfall in a day, Kilauea Plantation, Hawaii (state record, until 2018)

NFL's New York Giants move their home from the Polo Grounds in Upper Manhattan to Yankee Stadium in The Bronx

The Polo Grounds was the name of three stadiums in Upper Manhattan, New York City, used mainly for professional baseball and American football from 1880 to 1963.

Austrian skier Toni Sailer wins the giant slalom at the Cortina d'Ampezzo Winter Olympics on his way to a sweep of the 3

Austrian skier Toni Sailer wins the giant slalom at the Cortina d'Ampezzo Winter Olympics on his way to a sweep of the 3 alpine skiing events at the Games

Austrian skier Toni Sailer wins the slalom at the Cortina d'Ampezzo Winter Olympics for his 2nd gold medal of the Games;

Austrian skier Toni Sailer wins the slalom at the Cortina d'Ampezzo Winter Olympics for his 2nd gold medal of the Games; sweeps all 3 alpine skiing events

Hague Daily Newspaper reveals war crimes of Hague mayor Schokking

Autherine Lucy admitted to University of Alabama, and suspended for her own safety a few days later after a riot by prot

Autherine Lucy admitted to University of Alabama, and suspended for her own safety a few days later after a riot by protesters on campus

AL plans to test automatic intentional walk during spring training

Finland goes 1-2 in the ski jumping at the Cortina d'Ampezzo Winter Olympics; Antti Hyvärinen takes gold ahead of teamma

Finland goes 1-2 in the ski jumping at the Cortina d'Ampezzo Winter Olympics; Antti Hyvärinen takes gold ahead of teammate Aulis Kallakorpi

British diplomats Guy Burgess and Donald Maclean deny working as spies for Soviet Russia after reappearing in the Soviet

British diplomats Guy Burgess and Donald Maclean deny working as spies for Soviet Russia after reappearing in the Soviet Union after going missing 5 years earlier

KYW-AM in Philadelphia Penn gives calls to WTAM (now WWWE) Cleveland

20th Congress of CPSU opens in Moscow

The 20th Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (Russian: XX съезд Коммунистической партии Советского Союза, romanized: XX syezd Kommunisticheskoy partii Sovetskogo Soyuza) was held...

Pirates and KC As cancel an exhibition game in Birmingham, Alabama, due to a local ordinance barring Black players from

Pirates and KC As cancel an exhibition game in Birmingham, Alabama, due to a local ordinance barring Black players from playing against White players

Ice Dance Championship at Garmisch won by Pamela Weight/P Thomas GRB

Doo-wop vocal group The Five Satins record leader and songwriter Fred Parris's tune "In the Still of the Nite" in the ba

Doo-wop vocal group The Five Satins record leader and songwriter Fred Parris's tune "In the Still of the Nite" in the basement of St. Bernadette's Church in New Haven, Connecticut

WOSU TV channel 34 in Columbus, OH (PBS) begins broadcasting

1st English soccer match at Kunstlicht: Portsmouth vs Newcastle United

20th Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU) closes in Moscow, Russia, USSR

The Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU), at some points known as the Russian Communist Party (Bolsheviks) and the All-Union Communist Party (Bolsheviks), and sometimes referred to as the...

Female suffrage granted in Egypt

The role of women in Egypt has changed significantly from ancient times to the modern era.

13 die in a train crash in Swampscott, Massachusetts

Islamic Republic forms in Pakistan

The term Islamic republic has been used in different ways. Some Muslim religious leaders have used it as the name for a form of Islamic theocratic government enforcing sharia, or laws compatible with...

"Crazy Arms" single released by Ray Price - his 1st No.1 (Billboard Song of the Year 1956)

"Crazy Arms" is an American country song, which was a career-making hit for Ray Price.

"King Kong" 1st televised

Archbishop Makarios of Cyprus arrested for sedition and exiled to Seychelles

General strike in Cyprus protesting exile of Archbishop Makarios

Dow Jones Industrial Average closes above 500 for 1st time (500.24)

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA), Dow Jones, or simply the Dow (), is a stock market index of 30 prominent companies listed on stock exchanges in the United States.

Biggest NBA margin of victory - Minn Lakers-133, St Louis Hawks-75

Edward Ochab succeeds Bolesław Bierut as 1st secretary of the Polish Communist Party

"The Rose Tattoo" wins 3 Academy awards, including Anna Manini for Best Actress and Cinematography (Black & White)

Pakistan proclaimed an Islamic republic in Commonwealth (National Day)

From 1947 to 1956, the Dominion of Pakistan was a self-governing country within the British Commonwealth of Nations that shared a monarch with the United Kingdom and the other Dominions of the...

Medic Alert Foundation forms

French commandos land in Algeria

USSR performs nuclear test

10th Tony Awards: "The Diary of Anne Frank" (play) & "Damn Yankees" (musical) win

The 10th Annual Tony Awards took place at the Plaza Hotel Grand Ballroom on April 1, 1956. The Master of Ceremonies was Jack Carter.

Bulgarian vice premier Traitsjo Kostov rehabilitated (executed 1949)

Enid Bagnold's "Chalk Garden" premieres in London

Ceylon's Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (MEP), led by S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike wins the general elections in a landslide

Sirima Ratwatte Dias Bandaranaike, commonly known as Sirimavo Bandaranaike, was a Sri Lankan politician who served as Prime Minister of Sri Lanka from 1960 to 1965, from 1970 to 1977, and from 1994...

Polish communist Gomulka freed from prison

The Polish October, also known as the Polish thaw or Gomułka's thaw, as well as the "small stabilization" (Polish: mała stabilizacja) was a change in the politics of the Polish People's Republic that...

France officially relinquished its protectorate in Morocco, Spain follows suit for regions of her protectorate in northe

France officially relinquished its protectorate in Morocco, Spain follows suit for regions of her protectorate in northern Morocco

6 US Marine Corps recruits drown during a night "marsh march" in Ribbon Creek at Parris Island, South Carolina; drill in

6 US Marine Corps recruits drown during a night "marsh march" in Ribbon Creek at Parris Island, South Carolina; drill instructor Staff Sergeant Matthew McKeon is court-martialed

Philips broadcasts 1st Dutch color TV programs

French government decides to send 200,000 reservists to Algeria

S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike's government takes office in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka)

KETA TV channel 13 in Oklahoma City, OK (PBS) begins broadcasting

Ampex Corp demonstrates 1st commercial videotape recorder

1st solar powered radios go on sale

Bulgaria premier Valko Chervenkov resigns

Egypt & Israel agree to a cease fire

Israel, officially the State of Israel, is a country in the Southern Levant region of West Asia.

1st MLB baseball game in New Jersey - Brooklyn Dodgers beat Philadelphia Phillies, 5-4, at Roosevelt Stadium in Jersey C

1st MLB baseball game in New Jersey - Brooklyn Dodgers beat Philadelphia Phillies, 5-4, at Roosevelt Stadium in Jersey City

AL umpire Frank Umont is 1st to wear glasses in a regular season game

WLUC TV channel 6 in Marquette, MI (CBS/NBC/ABC) begins broadcasting

A doctor in Japan reports an "epidemic of an unknown disease of the central nervous system", marking the official discov

A doctor in Japan reports an "epidemic of an unknown disease of the central nervous system", marking the official discovery of Minamata disease

US Lab detects high-temperature microwave radiation from Venus

Microwave is a form of electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths shorter than other radio waves but longer than infrared waves.

A new range of mountains is discovered in Antarctica, with two peaks over 13,000 feet

Broekster Boys soccer team forms in Damwoude

Gus Bell (Reds) homers off Bob Miller in both ends of a double header

Battle at Oran, Algeria, kills 300

John Osborne's "Look Back in Anger" premieres in London

Look Back in Anger (1956) is a realist play written by John Osborne. It focuses on the life and marital struggles of an intelligent and educated but disaffected young man of working-class origin,...

First ascent of Manaslu, the world's eighth-highest mountain in the Nepalese Himalayas by Japanese climbers Toshio Imani

First ascent of Manaslu, the world's eighth-highest mountain in the Nepalese Himalayas by Japanese climbers Toshio Imanishi and Gyalzen Norbu

Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher Carl Erskine's throws 2nd career no-hitter, beats NY Giants, 3-0, at Ebbetts Field in Brooklyn,

Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher Carl Erskine's throws 2nd career no-hitter, beats NY Giants, 3-0, at Ebbetts Field in Brooklyn, NYC

Egypt recognizes People's Republic of China

The Republic of Egypt was a state created in 1953 under the rule of Mohammed Naguib following the Egyptian revolution of 1952 in which the Kingdom of Egypt's Muhammad Ali dynasty came to an end.

Hungarian party leader Matyas Rákosi enforces his own policy

Mátyás Rákosi was a Hungarian communist politician who was the de facto leader of Hungary from 1948 to 1956.

Pachyderm Building at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo opens (Cleveland, Ohio)

The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is a 183-acre (74 ha) zoo in Cleveland, Ohio. The Zoo is divided into several areas: Australian Adventure; African Savanna; Northern Wilderness Trek, The Primate, Cat &...

Atomic fusion (thermonuclear) bomb dropped from plane at Bikini Atoll

Jordan government of Said el-Mufti forms

World Trade Center dedicated in Ferry Building, San Francisco

San Francisco, officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the fourth-most populous city in California and the 17th-most populous in the United States, with a population of 827,526 in 2024.

A fire on board the aircraft carrier USS Bennington in Narragansett Bay, off Rhode Island, kills 103 crew

French raid in Algiers

Bus boycott begins in Tallahassee Florida

Florida is a state in the Southeastern and South Atlantic regions of the United States.

KGUN TV channel 9 in Tucson, AZ (ABC) begins broadcasting

David Marshall, Singapore's first Chief Minister, resigns.

David Saul Marshall (né Mashal; 12 March 1908 – 12 December 1995) was a Singaporean lawyer, politician, and diplomat who served as the first chief minister of Singapore from April 1955 to June 1956.

Lim Yem Hock forms Singapore government

Heavy earthquake strikes Afghanistan, 400 killed

XVI Summer Olympic equestrian events open in Stockholm

Parliamentary election: Dutch Democrats 50/KVP 49

Anti-protons detected in the atmosphere

WKNO TV channel 10 in Memphis, Tennessee (PBS) begins broadcasting

Memphis (MEM-fis) is a city in Shelby County, Tennessee, United States, and its county seat.

MLB Cleveland Indians trailing Baltimore Orioles 9-1, come back to win 12-11 in 11 innings

Riots break out in Poznan, Poland, 38 die

American Charles Dumas records first high jump over 7' (2.13m) during US Olympic Trials at Los Angeles, California

United DC-7 & TWA collide over Grand Canyon killing 128

On June 30, 1956, a Lockheed L-1049A Super Constellation operating as TWA Flight 2, was struck by a Douglas DC-7 Mainliner operating as United Air Lines Flight 718 over Grand Canyon National Park,...

Independence National Historical Park forms in Philadelphia

France raises tobacco tax 20% due to war in Algeria

Cleveland outfielder Jim Busby hits a second grand slam on consecutive days during Indians 4-2 win v Kansas City A's

US performs atmospheric nuclear test at Enewetak Atoll

Nuclear testing at Bikini Atoll consisted of the detonation of 23 (or 24) nuclear weapons by the United States between 1946 and 1958 on Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands.

,000 US steel workers go on strike

Boston Red Sox pitcher Mel Parnell no-hits Chicago White Sox, 4-0 at Fenway Park, Boston

Fenway Park is a ballpark in Boston, Massachusetts, United States, close to Kenmore Square. Since 1912, it has been the home field of Major League Baseball's (MLB) Boston Red Sox.

Iharos runs a world record in the 10,000 meters (28:42.8)

Detroit Tigers and Briggs Stadium are sold for a then-record $5.5 million

Erno Gero succeeds Matyas Rákosi as party leader of Hungary

Mátyás Rákosi was a Hungarian communist politician who was the de facto leader of Hungary from 1948 to 1956.

US refuse to lend Egypt money to build a second Aswan Dam

Confirmation of the first detection of the neutrino by Clyde Cowan, Frederick Reines, F. B. Harrison, H. W. Kruse, and A

Confirmation of the first detection of the neutrino by Clyde Cowan, Frederick Reines, F. B. Harrison, H. W. Kruse, and A. D. McGuire published in "Science" (Cowan–Reines neutrino experiment)

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Brooks Lawrence loses after 13 straight wins

Bell X-2 rocket plane sets world aircraft speed record of 3,050 km/h

46 die in a collision between the SS Andrea Doria and the MS Stockholm off the coast of Nantucket

SS Andrea Doria was a luxury transatlantic ocean liner of the Italian Line (Società di navigazione Italia), put into service in 1953.

KRCR TV channel 7 in Redding-Chico, California (ABC) begins broadcasting

American sprinter Willie Williams sets a 100 m world record at 10.1 in Berlin, Germany

At a NASCAR Grand National race in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Lee Petty stops his car on lap 32, climbs the flagstand, and waves a

At a NASCAR Grand National race in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Lee Petty stops his car on lap 32, climbs the flagstand, and waves a red flag to the field, halting the race due to dusty conditions; the race is never completed

Belgian race car driver André Milhoux (27) competes in his only Grand Prix, driving a Gordini T32 in Germany; he is forc

Belgian race car driver André Milhoux (27) competes in his only Grand Prix, driving a Gordini T32 in Germany; he is forced to retire after 15 laps due to an engine problem

After going bankrupt in 1955, the American national broadcaster DuMont Television Network airs its final broadcast, a bo

After going bankrupt in 1955, the American national broadcaster DuMont Television Network airs its final broadcast, a boxing match from St. Nicholas Arena

Fire and explosion kill 263 miners in Marcinelle, Belgium

First statewide, state-supported educational TV network in Alabama

Alabama (AL-ə-BAM-ə) is a state in the Southeastern and Deep Southern regions of the United States.

23rd NFL Chicago All-Star Game: Cleveland 26, All-Stars 0 (75,000 attendees)

First flight of the four-motor Cessna 620

The Cessna 172 Skyhawk is an American four-seat, single-engine, high wing, fixed-wing aircraft made by the Cessna Aircraft Company.

KOTI TV channel 2 in Klamath Falls, OR (NBC/CBS) begins broadcasting

Adlai E. Stevenson is nominated as the US Democratic presidential candidate

Adlai Ewing Stevenson II (February 5, 1900 – July 14, 1965) was an American politician and diplomat who was the United States ambassador to the United Nations from 1961 until his death in 1965.

MLB Cleveland Indians' Rocky Colavito hits his first grand slam, Cleveland 5, Tigers 4

20,000 women march to Pretoria's Union Buildings to present a petition to the Prime Minister against the carrying of pas

20,000 women march to Pretoria's Union Buildings to present a petition to the Prime Minister against the carrying of passes by women

Cincinnati Reds (8) and Cubs (2) combine to hit 10 home runs in a nine-inning game

The Cincinnati Reds are an American professional baseball team based in Cincinnati. The Reds compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) Central Division.

Republicans convene at Cow Palace

WTVW TV channel 7 in Evansville, IN (ABC) begins broadcasting

WTVW (channel 7) is a television station in Evansville, Indiana, United States, serving as a de facto owned-and-operated station of The CW.

First non-stop transcontinental helicopter flight arrives in Washington, D.C.

To make room for Enos Slaughter, the NY Yankees release Phil Rizzuto

Philip Francis Rizzuto (September 25, 1917 – August 13, 2007), nicknamed "the Scooter", was an American Major League Baseball shortstop.

KREY TV channel 10 in Montrose, CO (CBS/NBC) begins broadcasting

Yankees announce the purchase of outfielder Enos Slaughter from Kansas City

French government sends troops to Cyprus during Suez Crisis

The Suez Crisis, also known as the second Arab–Israeli war, the Tripartite Aggression in the Arab world and the Sinai War in Israel, was a British–French–Israeli invasion of Egypt in 1956.

Lake Pontchartrain Causeway opens in Louisiana, the longest continuous bridge in the world

The Lake Pontchartrain Causeway (French: Chaussée du lac Pontchartrain), also known simply as The Causeway, is a fixed link composed of two parallel bridges crossing Lake Pontchartrain in...

Indian state of Tripura becomes a territory

Tripura () is a state in northeastern India. The third-smallest state in the country, it covers 10,491 km2 (4,051 sq mi); and the seventh-least populous state with a population of 3.67 million.

20 die in a train crash in Springer, New Mexico

Bell X-2 sets an unofficial manned aircraft altitude record of 126,000 feet (38,404.8 meters)

African Party for the Liberation of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde forms

The African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (Portuguese: Partido Africano para a Independência da Guiné e Cabo Verde, PAIGC) is a political party in Guinea-Bissau.

Great Britain performs a nuclear test at Maralinga, Australia

Between 1956 and 1963, the United Kingdom conducted seven nuclear tests at the Maralinga site in South Australia, part of the Woomera Prohibited Area about 800 kilometres (500 mi) north west of...

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Frank Robinson ties rookie record with his 38th home run

New York Yankees Yogi Berra ties career record for home runs by a catcher (236)

Black students enter and are barred from Clay, Kentucky, elementary school

Dike around Dutch polder Eastern Flevoland closes

Black students enter Clay Elementary School in Kentucky

Mickey Mantle is the eighth player to hit 50 home runs in a season

1st international conference of black writers & artists meets (Sorbonne)

New York Yankees set dubious MLB record, stranding 20 on base; Mickey Mantle hits a 500' plus homer but rival Boston Red

New York Yankees set dubious MLB record, stranding 20 on base; Mickey Mantle hits a 500' plus homer but rival Boston Red Sox win 13-9 at Fenway Park

Brooklyn Dodger Sal Maglie no-hits the Philadelphia Phillies 5-0

Salvatore Anthony Maglie (April 26, 1917 – December 28, 1992) was an American pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB), and later a scout and a pitching coach.

Great Britain commences "Operation Buffalo," testing four nuclear fission bombs at Maralinga, South Australia

Between 1956 and 1963, the United Kingdom conducted seven nuclear tests at the Maralinga site in South Australia, part of the Woomera Prohibited Area about 800 kilometres (500 mi) north west of...

"Oh! Susanna" debuts on CBS-TV

Yankees' Mickey Mantle hits his 52nd home run of the season

Phillies' Robin Roberts gives up a Major League record 46th home run

American jockey Johnny Heckmann becomes the first to ride seven winners at Hawthorne Race Course in Stickney/Cicero near

American jockey Johnny Heckmann becomes the first to ride seven winners at Hawthorne Race Course in Stickney/Cicero near Chicago, Illinois

First atomic power clock exhibited in New York City

Great Britain performs nuclear test at Maralinga Australia

Between 1956 and 1963, the United Kingdom conducted seven nuclear tests at the Maralinga site in South Australia, part of the Woomera Prohibited Area about 800 kilometres (500 mi) north west of...

1st Pakistan v Australia Test 95 runs scored on 1st day

Test cricket is played between international cricket teams who are Full Members of the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Marga Klompé becomes first Dutch women elected minister

WAGM TV channel 8 in Presque Isle, ME (CBS/NBC/ABC) begins

First plane lands safely on water: Pan Am Flight 6 from San Francisco to Honolulu, with all 24 passengers and 7 crew sur

First plane lands safely on water: Pan Am Flight 6 from San Francisco to Honolulu, with all 24 passengers and 7 crew surviving

58°F (15°C) at Esperanza Station, Antarctica, an Antarctic record high

Antarctica ( ) is Earth's southernmost and least-populated continent. Situated almost entirely south of the Antarctic Circle and surrounded by the Southern Ocean (also known as the Antarctic Ocean),...

A concrete girder weighing 200 tons kills 48 in Karachi, Pakistan.

First video recording on magnetic tape is televised coast-to-coast

Margaret Towner becomes the first woman to be ordained into the Presbyterian Church in the US (PCUSA)

White Sox manager Marty Marion resigns and is replaced by Al López

UN's International Atomic Energy Agency statute approved

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is an intergovernmental organization that seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy and to inhibit its use for any military purpose, including...

Dodgers sell Ebbets Field to a real estate group; they agree to stay until 1959, with an option to stay until 1961

American Navy pilot Conrad "Gus" Shinn is the first person to land a plane at the South Pole

Delhi becomes a union territory of India

Among the states and union territories of India, a union territory (UT) is a region that is directly governed by the central government of India, as opposed to the states, which have their own state...

Hungary appeals for UN assistance against Soviet invasion

Suez Crisis: After several days of fighting, Israeli forces capture the Gaza Strip

The Suez Crisis, also known as the second Arab–Israeli war, the Tripartite Aggression in the Arab world and the Sinai War in Israel, was a British–French–Israeli invasion of Egypt in 1956.

,000 Russian Soviet troops attack protestors of anti-Soviet movement in Budapest, Hungary

Lou Thesz beats Whipper Billy Watson in St Louis, to become NWA wrestling champion

Aloysius Martin Thesz (April 24, 1916 – April 28, 2002), known by the ring name Lou Thesz, was an American professional wrestler and wrestling coach.

The largest observed iceberg, 208 by 60 miles, is first sighted

Hungarian revolt put down by Soviet invasion

The Hungarian Revolution of 1956 (23 October – 4 November 1956; Hungarian: 1956-os forradalom), also known as the Hungarian Uprising, was an attempted countrywide revolution against the government of...

Guido Cantelli, Italian conductor, named Musical Director of La Scala Teatro in Milan, Italy

Guido Cantelli was an Italian orchestral conductor. Toscanini elected him his "spiritual heir" since the beginnings of his career.

Boston shooting guard Bill Sharman hits 10 free throws in Celtics 101-78 over Philadelphia Warriors at Philadelphia Civi

Boston shooting guard Bill Sharman hits 10 free throws in Celtics 101-78 over Philadelphia Warriors at Philadelphia Civic Center

Vladimir Kuts of the Soviet Union runs Olympic record 28:45.6 to win the 10,000m at the Melbourne Olympics; later also w

Vladimir Kuts of the Soviet Union runs Olympic record 28:45.6 to win the 10,000m at the Melbourne Olympics; later also wins 5,000m gold

Americans go 1-2 in the men's 100m final at the Melbourne Olympics; Bobby Morrow and Thane Baker both record hand-timed

Americans go 1-2 in the men's 100m final at the Melbourne Olympics; Bobby Morrow and Thane Baker both record hand-timed 10.50s but automatic timing gives gold medal to Morrow

American weightlifter Charles Vinci wins bantamweight gold medal at the Melbourne Olympics with world-record 3-lift (sna

American weightlifter Charles Vinci wins bantamweight gold medal at the Melbourne Olympics with world-record 3-lift (snatch, clean & jerk, overhead press) total of 342.5 kilograms

NFL Draft: Paul Hornung from University of Notre Dame first pick by Green Bay Packers

Paul Vernon Hornung (December 23, 1935 – November 13, 2020), nicknamed "the Golden Boy", was an American professional football halfback and kicker who played for the Green Bay Packers of the National...

Al Oerter wins first of 4 consecutive men's discus gold medals when he throws Olympic record 56.36m to lead an American

Al Oerter wins first of 4 consecutive men's discus gold medals when he throws Olympic record 56.36m to lead an American medal sweep at the Melbourne Games; Fortune Gordien silver, Desmond Koch bronze

Lee Calhoun leads an American trifecta in the men's 110m hurdles at the Melbourne Olympics, setting a hurdles Olympic re

Lee Calhoun leads an American trifecta in the men's 110m hurdles at the Melbourne Olympics, setting a hurdles Olympic record of 13.5 seconds to beat teammates Jack Davis and Joel Shankle

English athlete Chris Brasher is disqualified for interference after finishing first in the 3,000m steeplechase at the 1

English athlete Chris Brasher is disqualified for interference after finishing first in the 3,000m steeplechase at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics; decision reversed on appeal

Gert Fredriksson of Sweden wins his 2nd straight K-1 10,000m canoeing gold medal at the Melbourne Olympics; last time ev

Gert Fredriksson of Sweden wins his 2nd straight K-1 10,000m canoeing gold medal at the Melbourne Olympics; last time event held in the Summer Olympics; also wins 3rd consecutive K-1 1,000m gold

Algerian-born French long-distance runner Alain Mimoun wins the men's marathon in 2:25:00.0 at the Melbourne Olympics; t

Algerian-born French long-distance runner Alain Mimoun wins the men's marathon in 2:25:00.0 at the Melbourne Olympics; the first time runners follow a painted line

Australian women's 4 x 100m relay team of Norma Croker, Betty Cuthbert, Fleur Mellor, and Shirley Strickland de la Hunty

Australian women's 4 x 100m relay team of Norma Croker, Betty Cuthbert, Fleur Mellor, and Shirley Strickland de la Hunty runs a world record 44.65 to win the gold medal at the Melbourne Olympics; Cuthbert's third gold of the Games

Frank Robinson (NL) and Luis Aparicio (AL) are voted Rookie of the Year

Luis Ernesto Aparicio Montiel, nicknamed "Little Louie", is a Venezuelan former professional baseball player.

Gert Fredriksson of Sweden wins his third consecutive K-1 1,000m canoeing gold medal by 2.5s from Igor Pissarov of the S

Gert Fredriksson of Sweden wins his third consecutive K-1 1,000m canoeing gold medal by 2.5s from Igor Pissarov of the Soviet Union at the Melbourne Olympics; he also wins the K-1 10,000m gold

Legendary Australian swimmer Dawn Fraser sets a world record of 1:02.0 to win the women's 100m freestyle at the Melbourn

Legendary Australian swimmer Dawn Fraser sets a world record of 1:02.0 to win the women's 100m freestyle at the Melbourne Olympics, the first of Fraser's three consecutive gold medals in the event

US men's 4 x 100m relay team of Thane Baker, Leamon King, Bobby Morrow, and Ira Murchison sets a world record of 39.60s

US men's 4 x 100m relay team of Thane Baker, Leamon King, Bobby Morrow, and Ira Murchison sets a world record of 39.60s to win the gold medal at the Melbourne Olympics; Morrow's third gold medal of the Games

Australian 4 x 200m freestyle relay team of Kevin O'Halloran, John Devitt, Murray Rose & Jon Henricks swim world record

Australian 4 x 200m freestyle relay team of Kevin O'Halloran, John Devitt, Murray Rose & Jon Henricks swim world record 8:23.6 to take the gold medal at the Melbourne Olympics; Rose's 2nd of 3 gold at the Games

22nd Heisman Trophy Award: Paul Hornung, Notre Dame (QB)

17-year-old British swimmer Judy Grinham and American Carin Cone both swim world record 1:12.9 in the women's 100m backs

17-year-old British swimmer Judy Grinham and American Carin Cone both swim world record 1:12.9 in the women's 100m backstroke at the Melbourne Olympics; Grinham is awarded gold medal

Against the background of the Soviet invasion of Hungary the nations square off at the Melbourne Olympics in a famous wa

Against the background of the Soviet invasion of Hungary the nations square off at the Melbourne Olympics in a famous water polo match; game called off with Hungary leading 4-0 and near riot halted by police; Hungary goes on to win gold medal

Australian women's 4 × 100m freestyle relay team of Dawn Fraser, Faith Leech, Sandra Morgan and Lorraine Crapp swim worl

Australian women's 4 × 100m freestyle relay team of Dawn Fraser, Faith Leech, Sandra Morgan and Lorraine Crapp swim world record 4:17.1 and beat powerful US team to win the gold medal at the Melbourne Olympics

American diver Pat McCormick wraps up the women's double when she wins the 10m platform gold medal at the Melbourne Olym

American diver Pat McCormick wraps up the women's double when she wins the 10m platform gold medal at the Melbourne Olympics with 84.85 points; also won the 3m springboard gold

1st test firing of Vanguard satellite program, TV-0

Establishment of The People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola, MPLA (from Portuguese: Movimento Popular de Liberta

Establishment of The People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola, MPLA (from Portuguese: Movimento Popular de Libertação de Angola), left-wing party that has ruled since independence from Portugal

Anti-Russian demonstrations in Stettin & Wroclaw, Poland

Commencement of the Irish Republican Army's Border Campaign.

Dodgers trade Jackie Robinson to Giants for pitcher Dick Littlefield & $35,000. Robinson will retire rather than be trad

Dodgers trade Jackie Robinson to Giants for pitcher Dick Littlefield & $35,000. Robinson will retire rather than be traded.

Paul-Henri Spaak of Belgium is selected to become Secretary-General of NATO

Emergency crisis in North Ireland proclaimed after IRA strikes

"To Tell the Truth" debuts on CBS-TV

To Tell the Truth is an American television panel show. Four celebrity panelists are presented with three contestants, all claiming to be the subject of a story read aloud by the host.

Phil Rizzuto signs as NY Yankees radio-TV announcer

Philip Francis Rizzuto (September 25, 1917 – August 13, 2007), nicknamed "the Scooter", was an American Major League Baseball shortstop.

Military coup under colonel Simbolon in Sumatra

Colo is born, the first gorilla bred in captivity at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Columbus, Ohio

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is a non-profit zoo located near Powell in Liberty Township, Delaware County, Ohio, United States, north of the city of Columbus.

"I Love Lucy" Christmas show airs, never put in syndication

Detroit's future Hockey Hall of Fame right wing Gordie Howe picks up a Xmas hat-trick & 3 assists in Red Wings' 8-1 win

Detroit's future Hockey Hall of Fame right wing Gordie Howe picks up a Xmas hat-trick & 3 assists in Red Wings' 8-1 win over NY Rangers; most points he scores in a single game in entire 26-year NHL career

Bill Sharman (Boston) ends NBA free throw streak of 55 games

William Walton Sharman (May 25, 1926 – October 25, 2013) was an American professional basketball player and coach.

Miss Frances [Horwich], last Ding Dong School on NBC-TV

Famous Births

Christine Lagarde is born

Mel Gibson is born

Mel Gibson, American actor and filmmaker, known for american actor and filmmaker, was born on 1956-01-03. Mel Colm-Cille Gerard Gibson is an American actor and filmmaker.

Bill Maher is born

Bill Maher, American comedian and television host, known for american comedian and television host, was born on 1956-01-20.

John Lydon is born

John Lydon, British musician, known for british punk rock singer, was born on 1956-01-31.

Greg Norman is born

Greg Norman, Australian athlete, known for australian golfer, was born on 1956-02-10.

Jeffrey Immelt is born

Jeffrey Immelt, American businessman, known for american businessman, was born on 1956-02-19.

Kelsey Grammer is born

Kelsey Grammer, American actor, known for american actor, was born on 1956-02-21. Allen Kelsey Grammer is an American actor. He gained fame for his role as the psychiatrist Dr.

Alain Prost is born

Alain Prost, French athlete, known for french racing driver, was born on 1956-02-24.

Penn Jillette is born

Penn Jillette, American magician and comedian, known for american magician and comedian, was born on 1956-03-05.

Gary Sinise is born

Gary Sinise, American actor, known for american actor, was born on 1956-03-17. Gary Alan Sinise is an American actor.

Bruce Willis is born

Bruce Willis, American actor, known for american actor, was born on 1956-03-19. Walter Bruce Willis is a retired American actor.

Jair Bolsonaro is born

Reba McEntire is born

Reba McEntire, American country singer and actress, known for american country singer and actress, was born on 1956-03-28.

Brendan Gleeson is born

Brendan Gleeson, Irish actor and director, known for irish actor and director, was born on 1956-03-29. Brendan Gleeson is an Irish actor.

Marina Sirtis is born

Marina Sirtis, American actress, known for british actress, was born on 1956-03-29. Marina Sirtis is a British-American actress.

Angus Young is born

Angus Young, Australian musician, known for australian musician; lead guitarist of ac/dc, was born on 1956-03-31.

Dennis Martínez is born

Dennis Martínez, Nicaraguan athlete, known for nicaraguan baseball player, was born on 1956-05-14. José Dennis Martínez Ortiz, nicknamed "El Presidente" (lit.

Jack Morris is born

Jack Morris, American athlete, known for american baseball pitcher, was born on 1956-05-16. John Scott Morris is an American former professional baseball starting pitcher.

Olga Korbut is born

Yun Fat Chow is born

Yun Fat Chow hong kong actor, known for hong kong actor, was born on 1956-05-18. Chow Yun-fat SBS, previously known as Donald Chow, is a Hong Kong actor and filmmaker.

Rosanne Cash is born

Rosanne Cash, American musician, known for american singer-songwriter and author, was born on 1956-05-24. Rosanne Cash is an American singer-songwriter and author.

Brian Kobilka is born

Tim Berners-Lee is born

Tim Berners-Lee, English computer scientist, known for english computer scientist, was born on 1956-06-08.

Michel Platini is born

Nikolay Zimyatov is born

Allan Border is born

Allan Border, Australian athlete, known for australian cricketer, was born on 1956-07-27. Allan Robert Border is an Australian former international cricketer and current cricket commentator.

Billy Bob Thornton is born

Billy Bob Thornton, American actor, filmmaker, and singer-songwriter, known for american actor, filmmaker, and singer-songwriter, was born on 1956-08-04.

Betsy King is born

Steve Jones is born

Pope Leo XIV is born

John Brennan is born

Carlene Carter is born

Warren Spector is born

Bill Elliott is born

Bill Elliott athlete, known for american racing driver and team owner, was born on 1956-10-08.

Victor Pecci is born

Carrie Fisher is born

Carrie Fisher, American actress and writer, known for american actress and writer, was born on 1956-10-21.

Bill Gates is born

Bill Gates, American businessman and philanthropist, known for american businessman and philanthropist, was born on 1956-10-28. William Henry Gates III is an American businessman and philanthropist.

Kris Jenner is born

Kris Jenner, American media personality, known for american media personality, was born on 1956-11-05. Kristen Mary Jenner is an American media personality, socialite, and businesswoman.

Friedrich Merz is born

Whoopi Goldberg is born

Whoopi Goldberg, American actor, comedian, and television personality, known for american actor, comedian, and television personality, was born on 1956-11-13.

Ian Botham is born

Ian Botham, English athlete, known for english cricketer, was born on 1956-11-24. Ian Terence Botham, Baron Botham is an English cricket commentator, member of the House of Lords, a former cricketer…

Bill Nye is born

Bill Nye, American science communicator, known for american science communicator, was born on 1956-11-27.

Notable Deaths

H. L. Mencken dies

H. L. Mencken, American journalist and writer, known for american journalist and writer, died on 1956-01-29.

Connie Mack dies

Connie Mack, American baseball manager and owner, known for american baseball manager and owner, died on 1956-02-08.

Elpidio Quirino dies

Fred Allen dies

Fred Allen, American comedian, known for american comedian, died on 1956-03-17. John Florence Sullivan (May 31, 1894 – March 17, 1956), known professionally as Fred Allen, was an American comedian.

Irène Joliot-Curie dies

Irène Joliot-Curie, French chemist and physicist, known for french chemist and physicist, died on 1956-03-17.

Hiram Bingham dies

Clarence Birdseye dies