WHAT ALL HAPPENED FEBRUARY TO MAY 1956
Find out what all happened February to May 1956

The XX Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union begins in Moscow. On the last night of the meeting, Premier Nikita Khrushchev condemns Joseph Stalin's crimes in a secret speech. (14. February 1956)

In Operation Redwing (shot Cherokee), the first United States airborne hydrogen bomb is dropped over Bikini Atoll in the Pacific Ocean. (20. May 1956)

Actress Grace Kelly marries Prince Rainier of Monaco. (19. April 1956)

The first Eurovision Song Contest is held in Lugano, Switzerland. (24. May 1956)

The polio vaccine developed by Jonas Salk is made available to the public. (1. May 1956)

Soviet forces suppress mass demonstrations in the Georgian SSR, reacting to Nikita Khrushchev's de-Stalinization policy. (9. March 1956)

Fidel Castro declares himself at war with the President of Cuba. (5. April 1956)

Spain relinquishes its protectorate in Morocco. (7. April 1956)

As the World Turns and The Edge of Night premiere on CBS-TV. The two soaps become the first daytime dramas to debut in the 30-minute format. (2. April 1956)

Conclusion of the Sixth Buddhist Council on Vesak Day, marking the 2,500 year anniversary after the Lord Buddha's Parinibbāna. (24. May 1956)

SS Ideal X, the world's first successful container ship, leaves Port Newark, New Jersey for Houston, Texas. (26. April 1956)

In Chicago, Illinois, videotape is first demonstrated. (14. April 1956)

In his speech On the Personality Cult and its Consequences, Nikita Khrushchev, leader of the Soviet Union denounces the cult of personality of Joseph Stalin. (25. February 1956)

A doctor in Japan reports an "epidemic of an unknown disease of the central nervous system", marking the official discovery of Minamata disease. (1. May 1956)

Former Vice President and Senator Alben Barkley dies during a speech in Virginia. He collapses after proclaiming "I would rather be a servant in the house of the lord than sit in the seats of the mighty." (30. April 1956)

Pakistan becomes the first Islamic republic in the world. (Republic Day in Pakistan) (23. March 1956)

My Fair Lady receives its premiere performance on Broadway at the Mark Hellinger Theatre. (15. March 1956)

Formation of the East German Nationale Volksarmee (1. March 1956)

In Sri Lanka, the Mahajana Eksath Peramuna win the general elections in a landslide and S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike is sworn in as the Prime Minister. (5. April 1956)

First ascent of Lhotse 8,516 meters, by a Swiss team. (18. May 1956)