What happened in June 1956?
The top front-page story of each day in June 1956, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- Jun 1📜 Dead Sea Scrolls Treasure – Key to vast riches from the Dead Sea Scrolls deciphered, revealing insights into ancient wealth.
- Jun 2🚢 Suez Canal Expansion – Capacity of the Suez Canal is set to increase by 20%, as the director describes changes to meet rising demand.
- Jun 3🏛️ New U.S. Center in Berlin – A new cultural center, 'Amerika Haus', is set to open in Berlin to counter Soviet propaganda and foster American culture.
- Jun 4✈️ Cologne Air Show – Cologne hosts a major air show, showcasing two French planes licensed for German production, attracting large crowds.
- Jun 5🏛️ Saar Accord Signed – Bonn and Paris finalize the Saar Accord, integrating the Saar territory with West Germany by early next year.
- Jun 6🏇 Prince Morvi Wins Race – Prince Morvi narrowly defeats Jean's Joe in a mile race at Belmont, showcasing a thrilling finish.
- Jun 7🏇 Lavandin Wins Derby – French colt Lavandin triumphs in the English Derby, defeating Montaval in front of 500,000 fans, marking a spectacular 177th running.
- Jun 8🌍 World Trade Record – '55 A record year for world trade; 45% of all exports shipped by Western Europe, GATT members gain steadily.
- Jun 9🏆 U.S. Women Lead Golf – U.S. women's golf team rallies to beat Britain in the Curtis Cup, winning two of three matches despite challenging weather.
- Jun 10👗 British Fashions in Moscow – Moscow hosts a sold-out fashion show showcasing British styles, leaving Russian attendees puzzled by the slimness of Western models.
- Jun 11🏛️ Art Museum Planned – Huntington Hartford announces plans for a $2.5 million art museum at Columbus Circle to showcase modern works.
- Jun 12🔬 End to Polio Threat – Mass vaccination is predicted to eliminate polio within three years, according to reports presented to the American Medical Association.
- Jun 13🏗️ Crane Collapse Evacuates School – A 180-foot crane buckles and crashes at a building site, leading to the evacuation of 1,600 pupils and clearing of nearby tenements.
- Jun 14🇪🇬 Suez Base Handed to Egypt – British quietly transfer control of the Suez Base to Egypt after 74 years, marking a significant end to colonial presence.
- Jun 15🏅 Olympic Gold Medals – Swedish rider and British team win Olympic gold medals in Stockholm, thrilling 20,000 spectators with impressive performances.
- Jun 16🥇 O'Brien Breaks Record – Parry O'Brien shatters his own shot-put world record with a throw of 61' 4" at a meet in Los Angeles.
- Jun 17🏛️ Adenauer Faces Challenge – Chancellor Adenauer returns to face a confidence vote from Socialists, questioning his leadership in Hamburg.
- Jun 18🎼 Shostakovich Advocates Free Music – Composer Dmitri Shostakovich criticizes dogmatists in Pravda, urging for creative freedom in music.
- Jun 19📜 Lafayette Papers Found – A trove of papers belonging to Marquis de Lafayette was discovered in an unused tower of a chateau near Paris.
- Jun 20🌍 Wildlife Group Fundraising – World Nature Group meeting in Edinburgh seeks funds to support wildlife conservation efforts amid financial struggles.
- Jun 21✈️ Air France Cargo Service – Air France launches jet cargo service, marking the first since the Comet grounding, with plans for passenger operations.
- Jun 22⚡ World Bank Funds Dam – World Bank approves $80 million loan for Zambezi Dam project, boosting power development in Rhodesia.
- Jun 23🔬 Davis Sets Hurdles Record – Davis sets a new world record in the 110-meter hurdles at the A.A.U. National Meet, clocking in at 13.4 seconds.
- Jun 24🌍 Egyptians Vote for Nasser – Heavy turnout favors Nasser as President, supporting the new constitution in Egypt's elections.
- Jun 25🌍 Nasser Wins Election – Gamal Abdel Nasser receives 99% of the vote, becoming the first President of Egypt following a constitutional referendum.
- Jun 26🔬 Tesla Memorial Unveiled – A memorial honoring inventor Nikola Tesla is unveiled as the centenary of his birth approaches, celebrating his contributions to electrical engineering.
- Jun 27🏇 Aqueduct Racing Improvements – Aqueduct chosen for racing facility upgrades to accommodate 60,000 spectators, enhancing Belmont Park experience.
- Jun 28🎾 Wimbledon Upsets – Two youths oust seeded players at Wimbledon, with 30,000 attending the matches. Eight U.S. men bow out in singles.
- Jun 29🌳 New Tree Dedicated – A tree is dedicated to unity at Liberty's foot, representing freedom and justice, with participation from 37 nations.
- Jun 30🏅 Dumas High Jump Record – Dumas clears seven-foot ceiling at Olympic Trials, setting a historic mark of 7 feet, thrilling 50,000 spectators.
Happy Birthday! 1956 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1956 in real headlines. See the 1956 book →