Your place in the Universe on 1956
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Get your map!The Highlights of 1956: A Year That Shaped the Future
1956 (MCMLVI in Roman Numerals) was the year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar, the 1956th year of the Common Era (CE) and Anno Domini (AD) designations.
Is 1956 a year special to you? Discover what 1956 was famous for, Key World Leaders of 1956, 1956 Time’s Person of the Year, the #1 song, movie and book in 1956, how old is someone born in 1956 and what Chinese zodiac sign is associated to 1956.
On this page we will address all your questions and curiosities about 1956 to help you enjoy your trip down memory lane.
Table of contents
- What was 1956 known for ?
- Key World Leaders of 1956
- Who was the U.S. President in 1956?
- Who was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in 1956?
- Who was the Pope in 1956?
- 1956: Who was Time's Person of the Year?
- What was the number 1 song in the USA in 1956?
- What was the number 1 song in the UK in 1956?
- What was the most popular movie in 1956?
- What was the best selling book in 1956?
- How old is someone born in 1956?
- What was the Chinese Zodiac sign associated with the year 1956?
What was 1956 known for ?
- 1956 was a hugely important year for popular culture, and much of it revolved around the “King of Rock and Roll,” Elvis Presley.
- Elvis entered US music charts for the first time this year, with his recording of “Heartbreak Hotel.” This year was also when Elvis released his first gold album, titled “Elvis Presley.” Elvis famously caused a national stir in June of 1956 with his performance of “Hound Dog” on The Milton Berle Show with his, for the time, “suggestive” hip movements.
- Presley would also take part in the “Million Dollar Quartet” near the end of 1956. On this occasion, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash played together at the Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee, for this one and only time.
- 1956 was a notable year for female celebrities as well. Doris Day recorded her famous song, “Que, Sera, Sera” and Norma Jean Mortenson legally changed her name to Marilyn Monroe.
- For television history, 1956 was incredibly important. This was the year that legendary host, Bob Barker made his television debut, hosting a game show called Truth or Consequences. A very popular production of Peter Pan, starring Mary Martin, was restaged live on NBC this year, due to high demand. In another development, the American soap opera, As the World Turns, made its debut on CBS.
- This was a big year for film and theatre as well. My Fair Lady opened on Broadway and Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The King and I was released in movie theatres. Also released in theatres this year was Cecil B. DeMille’s The Ten Commandments, starring Charlton Heston. 1956 was also the year that the great comic duo, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, held their last comedy show together. Their last performance was at the Copacabana nightclub in New York City.
- The world population in 1956 was 2,822,443,282 people according to data by United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. This figure includes both urban and rural populations. The urban population at that time accounted for 32.0% of the total population, which is roughly 903.2 million individuals.The annual population change in 1956 was an increase of +49.4 million people, representing a percentage increase of +1.78% over the previous year.The average population density in 1956 was 12 persons per square mile (or 19 persons per square kilometer).
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Key World Leaders of 1956
Who was the U.S. President in 1956?
In 1956, Dwight D. Eisenhower (Republican) was the President of the United States. His term spanned from January 20, 1953 to January 20, 1961. During his presidency, he created the Interstate Highway System and strengthened NATO during the Cold War.
Who was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in 1956?
In 1956 the UK Prime Minister was Sir Anthony Eden (Conservative). His premiership is most notable for the Suez Crisis, which marked a turning point in British imperial decline.
Who was the Pope in 1956?
The leader of the Catholic Church in 1956 was Pope Pius XII who had held the papacy since 1939. During his papacy, he led the Church through World War II, maintaining neutrality while secretly aiding Jewish refugees and opposing totalitarianism.
1956: Who was Time's Person of the Year?
The Hungarian freedom fighter
In 1956, The Hungarian freedom fighter was named by TIME magazine as Person of the Year. Representing Hungarian revolutionaries involved in the failed 1956 uprising.
What was the number 1 song in the USA in 1956?
The number 1 song in the USA in 1956, i.e. the best selling and most popular song of tha year, was Whatever Will Be, Will Be (Que Sera, Sera) by Doris Day
What was the number 1 song in the UK in 1956?
The number 1 song in the UK in 1956, i.e. the best selling and most popular song of tha year, was Why Do Fools Fall In Love by Teenagers featuring Frankie Lymon
What was the most popular movie in 1956?
The most popular movie and box office hit was The Ten Commandments by Cecil B. DeMille
What was the best selling book in 1956?
How old is someone born in 1956?
Someone born in 1956 is 69 years old this year.
Try out our age, time and generation calculators:
What was the Chinese Zodiac sign associated with the year 1956?
According to the Chinese Zodiac and Astrology 1956 was the Year of the Monkey.
Discover Zodiac Sign Characteristics and Personality Traits of people born under the Monkey sign.