The world in
What happened in 1956?
18 events across 6 world regions, each with its sources.
Europe
Cold WarAfter World War II, the Western Bloc led by the United States and the Eastern Bloc led by the Soviet Union engaged in a nearly half-century-long political, economic, and military confrontation. Although the two superpowers never fought directly, they competed globally through proxy wars, an arms race, and the Space Race. The Cold War began in the late 1940s and ended with the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.
SourcesWikipedia ↗Image: U.S. Army photo Photo Credit: USAMHI / Public domain ↗
Signing of the Treaty on the Creation of the USSROn December 30, 1922, the Treaty on the Creation of the USSR was signed at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, officially establishing the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. Plenipotentiary delegates from the Russian, Transcaucasian, Ukrainian, and Byelorussian Soviet republics signed the treaty, along with a declaration serving as its preamble. The treaty legally formalized the political union of the Soviet republics that had existed since 1919, creating a new federal government with centralized functions in Moscow. Legislative power was vested in the Congress of Soviets and the Central Executive Committee, while executive power lay with the Council of People's Commissars.
Hungarian Revolution of 1956From 23 October to 4 November 1956, a nationwide revolution broke out in Hungary against the government of the Hungarian People's Republic and its subordination to the USSR. The revolution was crushed by Soviet troops, resulting in thousands of casualties and nearly a quarter of a million Hungarians fleeing abroad.
SourcesWikipedia ↗Image: The American Hungarian Federation / Attribution ↗
- Signing of the Saar Treaty
On 27 October 1956, France and West Germany signed the Saar Treaty in Luxembourg, providing for the return of the Saar Protectorate to West Germany effective 1 January 1957. The treaty was part of the Luxembourg Agreements and implemented the outcome of the 1955 Saar referendum that rejected the Saar Statute.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
- Signing of the Soviet–Japanese Joint Declaration
On 19 October 1956, Japan and the Soviet Union signed the Soviet–Japanese Joint Declaration in Moscow, ending the state of war since World War II and restoring diplomatic relations. They agreed to continue peace treaty negotiations; the Soviet Union pledged support for Japan's UN membership and waived war reparations. A trade protocol granted reciprocal most favored nation status.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
Completion of Notre Dame du HautNotre Dame du Haut was completed in 1955 in Ronchamp, France, designed by architect Le Corbusier. A Roman Catholic pilgrimage chapel, it is a masterpiece of modernist architecture and attracts around 80,000 visitors annually.
- Phoney War
The Phoney War was a period of limited military activity at the start of World War II, lasting from September 1939 to May 1940. Following the Allied declaration of war on Germany, there were virtually no major land operations on the Western Front.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
- Polish October
In October 1956, a major political change took place in Poland as Władysław Gomułka became First Secretary of the Polish United Workers' Party, ending Stalinism in the country and initiating a brief liberalisation period. The event stemmed from turmoil in the Eastern Bloc following Khrushchev's denunciation of Stalin and had a profound impact on Soviet-satellite relations.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
Founding of St. Joseph's Church, Le HavreSt. Joseph's Church was founded around 1956 in Le Havre, France, as part of the city's post-World War II reconstruction. Designed by architect Auguste Perret, its 107-meter tower serves as both a lighthouse and a memorial to the war dead. Dedicated to Saint Joseph, the church became an emblem of the rebuilt city center.
North America
- Peak Phase of the African American Civil Rights Movement (1954–1968)
Between 1954 and 1968, the African American civil rights movement peaked, using nonviolent means to challenge racial segregation and discrimination in the United States. Originating in the Reconstruction era and influenced by Gandhi's nonviolent philosophy, it involved mass protests and civil disobedience. This led to new federal protections, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the Civil Rights Act of 1968.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
Standardization of Container ShippingIn 1956, container shipping began to be standardized. The Port Newark–Elizabeth Marine Terminal became the principal container facility for the Port of New York and New Jersey, handling cargo for the New York metropolitan area and northeastern North America.
Signing of the U.S.-Japan Security TreatyOn September 8, 1951, the United States and Japan signed the Security Treaty in San Francisco, alongside the Treaty of San Francisco that ended World War II in Asia. Imposed by the U.S. as a condition for ending the Occupation and restoring Japan's sovereignty, it established a long-lasting military alliance and allowed the U.S. to maintain forces in the Far East.
South Asia
Outbreak of the Vietnam WarIn 1955, armed conflict erupted between the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam) and the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam), marking the start of the Vietnam War. This war was simultaneously a civil war, a Cold War proxy war, and a postcolonial independence conflict, with North Vietnam backed by the Soviet Union and China, and South Vietnam supported by the United States and other anti-communist nations. The fighting later spread to Laos and Cambodia, ending with all three countries under communist rule in 1975.
SourcesWikipedia ↗Image: Department of Defense. Department of the Navy. U.S. Marine Corps. James K. F. Dung, SFC, Photographer Ronald L. Haeberle / Public domain ↗
Malayan EmergencyIn 1948, the British colonial government declared an emergency due to an armed struggle by the Malayan Communist Party. The guerrilla war against the independence-seeking Malayan National Liberation Army, with the involvement of Commonwealth forces, lasted until the lifting of the emergency in 1960.
SourcesWikipedia ↗Image: Australian Government / Public domain ↗
North Africa
Suez CrisisIn 1956, Israel invaded Egypt on 29 October to break the Egyptian blockade of the Straits of Tiran. The United Kingdom and France joined on 31 October, aiming to depose Egyptian President Nasser and regain control of the Suez Canal, which Egypt had nationalised earlier. The conflict, also known as the Suez Crisis, involved tripartite military action against Egypt.
SourcesWikipedia ↗Image: United States Army Heritage and Education Center / Public domain ↗
Algerian WarThe Algerian War was an armed conflict between France and the Algerian National Liberation Front from 1954 to 1962, leading to Algeria's independence. Considered a major decolonization war, it involved guerrilla warfare and war crimes by both sides.
SourcesWikipedia ↗Image: Madame Grinderche / Public domain ↗
West Asia
Founding of Middle East Technical UniversityMiddle East Technical University was founded in Ankara, Turkey in 1956. It is a public research university with English as the medium of instruction.
SourcesWikipedia ↗Image: AtilimGunesBaydin at English Wikipedia / Public domain ↗
Central & South America
Completion of CatetinhoCatetinho was completed as the first official workplace of Brazilian President Juscelino Kubitschek in Brasília. A federal public building near Gama, it served as the working location for the president and vice-president during the city's construction.
Around 1956
These are known only to the century, not to the year. They are listed separately so a rough date is never mistaken for an exact one.
- Emergence of the Green Revolution
- Beginning of the Digital Revolution
- Completion of the Taipei Grand Mosque
- Establishment of Women's Suffrage Worldwide
- Establishment of Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park
- Construction of Grimeton Longwave Radio Station
- Construction of the Trans-Iranian Railway begins
- Construction of the 20th-Century Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright Begins