WHAT ALL HAPPENED FEBRUARY TO AUGUST 1956
Find out what all happened February to August 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)

Jim Laker becomes the first man to take all 10 wickets in a Test match innings as he returns figures of 10/53 in the Australian 2nd innings. This combined with his 9/37 in the first innings gave him match figures of 19/90 in the 4th Test at Old Trafford. (31. July 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)

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

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

After going bankrupt in 1955, the American broadcaster DuMont Television Network makes its final broadcast, a boxing match from St. Nicholas Arena in New York in the Boxing from St. Nicholas Arena series. (6. August 1956)

Elvis Presley introduces his new single, "Hound Dog", on The Milton Berle Show, scandalizing the audience with his suggestive hip movements. (5. June 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)

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus closes its very last "Big Tent" show in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, due to changing economics all subsequent circus shows will be held in arenas. (16. July 1956)

In Poznań, workers from HCP factory went to the streets, sparking one of the first major protests against communist government both in Poland and Europe. (28. June 1956)

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

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

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

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