previous year1949
1950195119521953195419551956195719581959
1960next year

Major Events of January 1956: Key Historical Moments from the Month

Each month is marked by defining moments that shape the course of history. Whether through political shifts, cultural movements, or world-changing events, these periods leave a lasting impression. Dive into the most important events from January 1956 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

history

Major Events of January 1956: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Jan 1956 Elvis Presley Records Heartbreak Hotel: Elvis Presley records his iconic song 'Heartbreak Hotel' at RCA studios in Nashville, a pivotal moment in rock and roll music history that would launch his national career.
  • 02 Jan 1956 French Legislative Election of 1956: The French legislative election was strategically brought forward from its original June schedule by Prime Minister Edgar Faure, utilizing a constitutional provision. The election resulted in a complex coalition government led by Guy Mollet, marking a significant moment in post-war French political dynamics.
  • 03 Jan 1956 Mel Gibson's Birth: Mel Gibson, who would become a renowned American actor, director, and filmmaker, was born in Peekskill, New York.
  • 04 Jan 1956 Myanmar Independence Day: Myanmar (formerly Burma) celebrated its independence from the United Kingdom, marking the end of British colonial rule. This significant national day commemorates the country's sovereignty and the beginning of its journey as an independent nation.
  • 05 Jan 1956 Piasecki YH-16A Helicopter Prototype Crash: On January 5, 1956, a Piasecki YH-16A Turbo Transporter helicopter prototype (serial number 50-1270) catastrophically crashed near Swedesboro, New Jersey, close to the Delaware River during a test flight. Investigators determined that the crash was caused by a critical failure of the aft slip ring, which led to a rotor shaft malfunction. Tragically, test pilots Harold Peterson and George Callaghan were killed in the incident. As a direct consequence of this fatal crash, the YH-16 helicopter program was subsequently cancelled.
  • 06 Jan 1956 Sudan Gains Independence: First Prime Minister Takes Office: Ismail al-Azhari became the first Prime Minister of an independent Sudan, marking a significant milestone in the country's political history and transition from colonial rule.
  • 07 Jan 1956 Record-Breaking Cricket Partnership by Vinoo Mankad and Roy: Indian cricket legend Vinoo Mankad scored an impressive 231 runs against New Zealand, forming a monumental 413-run opening partnership with Roy Pillay, which was one of the highest opening stands in cricket history at that time.
  • 08 Jan 1956 Elvis Presley's Record-Breaking Single: Elvis Presley's hit single "Don't Be Cruel/Hound Dog" reaches #1 on the music charts and maintains the top position for an unprecedented 11 weeks, demonstrating the singer's immense popularity and cultural impact during the mid-1950s.
  • 09 Jan 1956 Dear Abby Advice Column Debuts in Newspapers: Abigail Van Buren (Pauline Phillips) launches her iconic advice column 'Dear Abby', which would become one of the most widely syndicated newspaper columns in history, offering guidance and wisdom to millions of readers for decades.
  • 10 Jan 1956 Elvis Presley Records Iconic Song 'Heartbreak Hotel': On January 10, 1956, Elvis Presley recorded 'Heartbreak Hotel' at RCA Victor Studio in Nashville, Tennessee. This song would become his first single with RCA Records and his first million-selling record, marking a pivotal moment in rock and roll history. Written by Mae Boren Axton and Tommy Durden, the song was inspired by a newspaper article about a man who committed suicide, leaving a note that read, 'I walk a lonely street.'
  • 12 Jan 1956 Significant Earthquake Strikes Budapest: On January 12, 1956, a powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 5.8 rocked Budapest, Hungary, causing significant structural damage and tragically claiming two lives. The seismic event highlighted the geological vulnerability of the region and prompted subsequent discussions about urban infrastructure resilience and earthquake preparedness.
  • 13 Jan 1956 Severe Ice Storm Concludes on Mount Washington: A significant six-day ice storm that severely impacted Mount Washington in the United States finally dissipated on January 13, 1956. The prolonged winter weather event, which began on January 8, brought extreme icing conditions to the region, potentially causing substantial disruptions to local infrastructure and daily life.
  • 14 Jan 1956 Little Richard Releases "Tutti Frutti": Rock and roll legend Little Richard released the groundbreaking single "Tutti Frutti", a pivotal moment in music history that helped define the emerging rock and roll genre. The song, with its energetic rhythm and provocative lyrics, became an instant hit and significantly influenced popular music.
  • 15 Jan 1956 Nasser's Palestine Reconquest Vow: Egyptian leader Gamal Abdel Nasser publicly declared his intention to reconquer Palestine, signaling heightened tensions in the Middle East.
  • 16 Jan 1956 Nasser's Palestine Reconquest Pledge: Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser publicly declared his intention to reconquer Palestine, signaling a significant moment in the ongoing Arab-Israeli conflict. This statement reflected the political tensions and territorial disputes of the mid-1950s in the Middle East.
  • 17 Jan 1956 Nasser's Vow to Reconquer Palestine: Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser publicly declared his intention to reclaim Palestine, signaling a significant moment in the Arab-Israeli geopolitical tensions of the mid-1950s. This statement reflected the ongoing Arab nationalist sentiment and the unresolved conflict following the establishment of Israel in 1948. Nasser, a prominent figure in the pan-Arab movement, sought to challenge the existing territorial boundaries and assert Arab sovereignty over the disputed region.
  • 18 Jan 1956 East Germany Establishes National People's Army: The German Democratic Republic (East Germany) officially forms its own military force, the National People's Army (Nationale Volksarmee), marking a significant moment in Cold War military organization. This development represents East Germany's growing military autonomy and its alignment with Soviet military structures during the Cold War period.
  • 19 Jan 1956 General Motors Motorama Showcases 1956 Corvette: The prestigious General Motors Motorama exhibition opened at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City, featuring the groundbreaking 1956 Corvette and the innovative Corvette Impala show car. This nine-day event was a significant showcase of automotive design and technological innovation.
  • 20 Jan 1956 Eisenhower's Second Presidential Term Begins: Dwight D. Eisenhower is sworn in for his second term as President of the United States, continuing his leadership during the mid-1950s Cold War era and post-World War II period.
  • 21 Jan 1956 William Shawn Becomes New Yorker Editor: William Shawn officially succeeded Harold Ross as the editor of The New Yorker magazine, marking a significant transition for one of America's most prestigious literary and cultural publications. Shawn would go on to lead the magazine for several decades, shaping its editorial direction and maintaining its high journalistic standards.
  • 22 Jan 1956 Redondo Junction Train Disaster: The Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway's San Diegan passenger train catastrophically derailed just outside Los Angeles, causing significant structural damage and a tragic loss of life. The accident occurred at Redondo Junction, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries, highlighting the critical safety challenges in mid-20th century rail transportation.
  • 23 Jan 1956 Death of Sir Alexander Korda: Sir Alexander Korda, a prominent Hungarian-born British film director and influential figure in the early British film industry, passed away due to a sudden heart attack. Korda was known for his pioneering work in film production and for establishing London Films, which was instrumental in developing the British film industry during the mid-20th century.
  • 24 Jan 1956 Hanne Krogh: Norwegian Eurovision Star: Hanne Krogh is a renowned Norwegian singer who gained international fame as a member of the pop duo Bobbysocks. She won the Eurovision Song Contest, representing Norway and helping to elevate the country's profile in the international music scene.
  • 25 Jan 1956 Finnish Territorial Reoccupation of Porkkala: Finnish troops reoccupied the Porkkala region after Soviet troops withdrew from their military base. This marked a significant moment in post-World War II Finnish-Soviet relations, with civilians permitted to return to the area on February 4.
  • 26 Jan 1956 VII Olympic Winter Games in Cortina d'Ampezzo: The VII Olympic Winter Games were held from January 26 to February 5, 1956, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. This prestigious international sporting event brought together winter athletes from around the world to compete in various winter sports disciplines.
  • 27 Jan 1956 Colombian Presidential Administrative Reform: Gustavo Rojas Pinilla, Supreme General in Chief of Colombia, issued 'Decree 133 of 1956', which transformed the General Secretariat into the Administrative Department of the Presidency of the Republic, signaling a significant restructuring of the Colombian governmental administrative framework.
  • 28 Jan 1956 Elvis Presley's First National Television Appearance: Elvis Presley made his groundbreaking first national television appearance on The Dorsey Brothers Stage Show, performing iconic songs like 'Heartbreak Hotel,' 'Shake, Rattle and Roll,' and 'Flip Flop and Fly'. Despite a small studio audience and rainy conditions, his performance was electrifying and marked a pivotal moment in rock and roll history.
  • 29 Jan 1956 1956 World Sportscar Championship Begins: The 1956 World Sportscar Championship season commenced with the prestigious 1000km of Buenos Aires race. The event was triumphantly won by the renowned racing drivers Stirling Moss and Carlos Menditeguy, marking an exciting start to the motorsport season.
  • 30 Jan 1956 Martin Luther King Jr.'s Home Bombed: On January 30, 1956, the home of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. was bombed in an act of racist terrorism, targeting King and his family during the height of the Montgomery bus boycott. This violent attack was intended to intimidate King and suppress the growing civil rights movement.
  • 31 Jan 1956 Johnny Rotten: Punk Rock Icon: John Lydon, better known as Johnny Rotten, was born, who would later become the iconic lead singer of the Sex Pistols. A pivotal figure in the punk rock movement, Lydon would revolutionize music and youth culture in the late 1970s with provocative songs like 'God Save the Queen'.