What happened in March 1956?
The top front-page story of each day in March 1956, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- Mar 1📈 Eisenhower's Second Term – President Eisenhower announces plans to run for a second term, boosting market confidence and impacting various sectors.
- Mar 2🏛️ Pope Celebrates 80th – Pope Pius XII, celebrating his 80th birthday, is reported to have a cold but is expected to maintain an active schedule.
- Mar 3🎉 Pope's 80th Birthday – 200 children celebrate Pope Pius's 80th birthday, bringing joy to the Pontiff as crowds cheer him on.
- Mar 4🏅 Melbourne Prepares Olympics – Melbourne gears up for the Olympic Games with hotel rates varying and numerous tours planned for visitors.
- Mar 5🌍 Trough in Antarctica – A 1,000-mile ice chute sighted in Antarctica by Americans, indicating significant climatic phenomena.
- Mar 6🌍 MOROCCANS HAIL SULTAN'S RETURN – Thousands in Rabat celebrate the Sultan's return, marking a significant moment in Morocco's independence journey.
- Mar 7🌍 King Saud Joins Talks – King of Saudi Arabia participates in Cairo discussions with Nasser, hinting at potential offers to Jordan's King Hussein.
- Mar 8🌍 Avalanches Bury Norwegians – Avalanches in Norway engulf homes, killing 21 people, including 4 women and 8 children; 2 boys rescued from a floating home.
- Mar 9🌍 Soviet Women's Day – Soviet Union celebrates Women's Day, highlighting women's roles and contrasting their freedoms with those in Western nations.
- Mar 10🌍 Fossil Research Challenges Evolution – Discovery of ancient bones raises questions about Darwin's theory, linking them to a humanoid ape-man concept.
- Mar 11🌍 U.N. Water Parley Urged – U.N. Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjold calls for a meeting to exchange data on global water resource development.
- Mar 12🏛️ 51 Nations Honor Pope – A colorful ceremony in St. Peter's marks the climax of Pope Pius' 80th birthday celebrations with tributes from 51 nations.
- Mar 13🏛️ Court Grants Negro Seat – Florida University ordered to admit a Negro student immediately, ending a seven-year legal battle over integration.
- Mar 14⛵ Sailing Competition Victory – Mitchell's Yawl wins Fleet and Class C laurels in St. Petersburg to Havana sailing competition.
- Mar 15🏛️ Ides of March Exhibit – Exhibit on Caesar's death marks 2000th anniversary, but scholars question its accuracy by a year or more.
- Mar 16🏠 Women Design Homes – U.S. agency invites women to submit ideas for future home designs, with winners attending a housing congress in Washington.
- Mar 17🌪️ Freak Storm Disrupts Northeast – A severe storm hits the Northeast, causing traffic disruptions with snow, sleet, rain, and fog affecting travel.
- Mar 18🏞️ France Accepts Tunisia Independence – France agrees to Tunisia's independence, marking a significant step in decolonization efforts following negotiations.
- Mar 19🔬 Sunlight Energy Released – Air Force experiment marks a major breakthrough in harnessing sunlight energy, visible from 60 miles away.
- Mar 20🚢 New Ship Service Launched – Adriatica introduces a new 4,250-ton liner, enhancing maritime transport options and services.
- Mar 21🌍 Free Tunisia Pact – France signs a protocol to end its 75-year protectorate over Tunisia, marking a significant step towards Tunisian independence.
- Mar 22🔬 Oil From Coal Explored – Central Africa investigates production of oil from coal, with South Africa optimistic about potential benefits.
- Mar 23🇵🇰 Pakistan Becomes Republic – Thousands celebrate as Pakistan officially becomes a republic, with Eisenhower praising the historic event.
- Mar 24🚗 Turbine Car Test – Experimental turbine car begins a 3,052-mile test drive from New York to Los Angeles, showcasing innovative engine design.
- Mar 25☀️ Large Sunspots Visible – Significant sunspots are now visible, providing new insights into solar activity and its effects on Earth.
- Mar 26🏔️ Kandahar Ski Events – Woods and Cox, both 17, win the first Kandahar ski events staged in New England at Mad River Glen.
- Mar 27🌍 Passover Celebrated Globally – Jewish communities worldwide observe Passover, commemorating the Exodus from Egypt, a significant cultural and religious event.
- Mar 28🎨 Gauguin Show Benefits – Citizens group for children to benefit from an exhibition opening next Wednesday featuring works by Paul Gauguin.
- Mar 29🔬 New University in Africa – Southern Rhodesia plans to build an inter-racial university, with classes starting in 1957 and 15,000 trees being planted.
- Mar 30🏗️ Holy Thursday Revived – Catholics observe Holy Thursday with a liturgy revised for the first time in 400 years, marking a significant religious milestone.
- Mar 31🔬 U.S. Nuclear Unit – A U.S. nuclear device will be showcased at the Milan Fair, demonstrating advancements in technology and international cooperation.
Happy Birthday! 1956 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1956 in real headlines. See the 1956 book →
Born in March? Pick the day
Every birthday in March has its own On This Day in Headlines book: