What Happened This Year 1956

Historical Events from This Year 1956

Technology & Innovation

Inauguration of TAT-1 Transatlantic Cable System

September 25th, 1956 68 years ago

The TAT-1 submarine cable, the first to connect North America and Europe, was inaugurated in 1956. This groundbreaking project allowed direct telephone communication across the Atlantic, significantly enhancing international connectivity. The cable spanned over 4,000 miles and was laid by the American Telephone and Telegraph Company (AT&T) in collaboration with several European telecommunications companies. It marked a pivotal advancement in global telecommunications, providing a crucial infrastructure for both personal and business communications between the continents.

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Science & Technology

Milburn G. Apt Surpasses Mach 3 but Dies

September 27th, 1956 68 years ago

USAF Captain Milburn G. Apt became the first person to exceed Mach 3 while flying the Bell X-2 rocket plane. The test flight took place in Southern California, and shortly after surpassing this historic speed, the aircraft went out of control, leading to Captain Apt's tragic death. This incident marked a significant moment in the X-2 program, which aimed to gather data on high-speed flight and advanced aerodynamic techniques.

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Sports & Recreation

Don Larsen's Perfect Game in World Series

October 8th, 1956 68 years ago

Don Larsen pitched the only perfect game in World Series history during Game 5 of the 1956 World Series at Yankee Stadium. The New York Yankees faced the Brooklyn Dodgers, and Larsen's remarkable performance included striking out seven batters. This moment is etched in baseball lore, as he completed the game with 97 pitches, and his perfect outing remains unmatched in the World Series context. The Yankees won the game, showcasing Larsen's incredible skills under pressure.

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Religion & Philosophy

Ambedkar's Mass Conversion to Buddhism

October 14th, 1956 68 years ago

Dr. B. R. Ambedkar led a massive conversion of over 385,000 followers to Buddhism in Nagpur, India. This momentous occasion aimed to provide a new identity and religious freedom for those from the Untouchable caste, promoting equality and social justice. The gathering was marked by a profound ceremony in which individuals sought to break away from the stigma of untouchability associated with Hinduism and to embrace the teachings of the Buddha, representing a significant shift in their spiritual and social lives.

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Technology & Innovation

FORTRAN's Introduction to Programmers Worldwide

October 15th, 1956 68 years ago

FORTRAN, the first high-level programming language, was unveiled to the coding community in October 1956. Developed by IBM, it allowed programmers to write instructions that could be understood by computers, significantly simplifying coding tasks. This new language was explicitly created for scientific and engineering applications, thereby addressing the growing need for efficient computation in those fields. The release marked a pivotal shift from machine-level languages to more user-friendly programming tools, opening doors for complex calculations.

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Science & Technology

Queen Elizabeth II Opens First Nuclear Power Station

October 17th, 1956 68 years ago

Queen Elizabeth II inaugurated the UK's first commercial nuclear power station at Sellafield in England, marking a significant shift in energy production. This milestone represented a commitment to nuclear energy as a sustainable resource and showcased advanced technology in power generation. The official opening highlighted the growing importance of nuclear power in addressing energy demands and paved the way for future developments in the energy sector.

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Politics & Government

Soviet Union and Japan Sign Joint Declaration

October 19th, 1956 68 years ago

The Soviet Union and Japan signed a Joint Declaration in 1956, officially ending the state of war that had persisted since August 1945. The agreement was a significant step in post-World War II relations between the two nations. It was signed during a visit to Moscow by Japanese Prime Minister Ichiro Hatoyama, who aimed to improve diplomatic ties. This declaration also set the stage for future negotiations concerning territorial disputes, particularly over the Kuril Islands.

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Social Movements & Civil Rights

Mau Mau Uprising Defeated in Kenya

October 21st, 1956 68 years ago

The Mau Mau Uprising, a key anti-colonial movement in Kenya, culminated in its defeat when the colonial government intensified military action against the rebel fighters. This rebellion, aiming to end British colonial rule, faced strong military opposition and strategic counter-insurgency operations. The impact of the uprising was profound, leading to significant changes in colonial policies and ultimately shaping the future for Kenya's independence movement.

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Social Movements & Civil Rights

Protesters Shot, Sparking Hungarian Revolution

October 23rd, 1956 68 years ago

In Budapest, Hungarian protestors demonstrating against Soviet control were met with gunfire from the secret police. This violent clash escalated tensions between the authorities and citizens, rallying masses against the oppressive regime. The incident catalyzed the uprising that sought to reclaim national sovereignty and promoted demands for reform.

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