WHAT ALL HAPPENED FEBRUARY TO JUNE 1956
Find out what all happened February to June 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)

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)

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

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

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

Morocco gains its independence from France. (2. March 1956)

The French National Assembly takes the first step in creating the French Community by passing the Loi Cadre, transferring a number of powers from Paris to elected territorial governments in French West Africa. (23. June 1956)

Tunisia gains independence from France. (20. March 1956)

The International Air Transport Association finalizes a draft of the Radiotelephony spelling alphabet for the International Civil Aviation Organization. (1. March 1956)

Hudsonville-Standale Tornado: The western half of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan is struck by a deadly F5 tornado. (3. April 1956)

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

A TWA Super Constellation and a United Airlines DC-7 collide above the Grand Canyon in Arizona and crash, killing all 128 on board both planes. It is the worst-ever aviation disaster at that point in time. (30. June 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)

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)

The Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 is signed, officially creating the United States Interstate Highway System. (29. June 1956)

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

The United States Merchant Marine Academy becomes a permanent Service Academy. (20. February 1956)

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

Start of Gal Oya riots, the first reported ethnic riots that target minority Sri Lankan Tamils in the Eastern Province. The total number of deaths is reportedly 150. (11. June 1956)