The 1950s

1956 70 years ago

In a nationwide referendum, Gamal Abdel Nasser (pictured) was elected President of Egypt, a post he held until his death

A double referendum was held in Egypt on 23 June 1956. The two issues were the candidacy of Gamal Abdel Nasser for the presidency and a new constitution. Both were approved, with t…

In a nationwide referendum, Gamal Abdel Nasser (pictured) was elected President of Egypt, a post he held until his death

1956 70 years ago

Polish workers demanding better working conditions began massive protests in Poznań, but were later violently repressed

The 1956 Poznań protests, also known as Poznań June, were the first of several massive protests against the communist government of the Polish People's Republic. Demonstrations by …

Polish workers demanding better working conditions began massive protests in Poznań, but were later violently repressed

1956 70 years ago

A mining disaster killed 262 workers, mainly Italian nationals, at the Bois du Cazier coal mine in Belgium.

The Marcinelle mining disaster occurred at the Bois du Cazier coal mine at Marcinelle, Hainaut Province, in Belgium on 8 August 1956. One of the largest and most notorious mining d…

A mining disaster killed 262 workers, mainly Italian nationals, at the Bois du Cazier coal mine in Belgium.

1956 70 years ago

Major League Baseball pitcher Don Larsen threw the only perfect game in World Series history.

Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball league in North America composed of 30 teams, divided equally between the National League (NL) and the American League (AL), …

Major League Baseball pitcher Don Larsen threw the only perfect game in World Series history.

1956 70 years ago

Following the nationalisation of the Egypt's Suez Canal, Israel, France, and the United Kingdom invaded the Sinai…

The Suez Canal is an artificial sea-level waterway in Egypt, connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea through the Isthmus of Suez and dividing Africa and Asia. The 193.3-kil…

Following the nationalisation of the Egypt's Suez Canal, Israel, France, and the United Kingdom invaded the Sinai…

1956 70 years ago

The Queen Elizabeth Way, North America's first intercity divided highway, opens.

The Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) is a 400-series highway in the Canadian province of Ontario linking Toronto with Fort Erie in the Niagara Peninsula. The highway begins at the Canada–…

The Queen Elizabeth Way, North America's first intercity divided highway, opens.

1956 70 years ago

B. R. Ambedkar, a leader of India's "Untouchable" caste, publicly converted to Buddhism and became the leader of the…

Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar was an Indian jurist, economist, social reformer and politician who chaired the committee that drafted the Constitution of India based on the debates of the …

B. R. Ambedkar, a leader of India's "Untouchable" caste, publicly converted to Buddhism and became the leader of the…

1956 70 years ago

The Hungarian Revolution began as a peaceful student demonstration that attracted thousands while marching through…

The Hungarian Revolution of 1956, also known as the Hungarian Uprising, was an attempted countrywide revolution against the government of the Hungarian People's Republic (1949–1989…

The Hungarian Revolution began as a peaceful student demonstration that attracted thousands while marching through…

1956 70 years ago

Israeli Border Police massacred 48 Arab citizens of Kafr Qasim, among them women and children who were returning from…

The Israel Border Police is the gendarmerie and border security branch of the Israel Police. It is not part of the military, despite carrying out duties which go beyond regular pol…

Israeli Border Police massacred 48 Arab citizens of Kafr Qasim, among them women and children who were returning from…

1955

The General Treaty, by which France, Britain and the United States recognize the sovereignty of West Germany, comes into

The Bonn–Paris conventions were signed in May 1952 and came into force after the 1955 ratification. The conventions put an end to the Allied occupation of West Germany.

The General Treaty, by which France, Britain and the United States recognize the sovereignty of West Germany, comes into

1955

The Austrian State Treaty restores Austrian sovereignty.

The Austrian State Treaty or Austrian Independence Treaty established Austria as a sovereign state. It was signed on 15 May 1955 in Vienna, at the Schloss Belvedere among the Allie…

The Austrian State Treaty restores Austrian sovereignty.

1955

In the Northeast United States, severe flooding caused by Hurricane Diane, claims 200 lives.

The Northeastern United States form one of the four census regions defined by the United States Census Bureau. Located on the Atlantic coast of North America, the region borders Ca…

In the Northeast United States, severe flooding caused by Hurricane Diane, claims 200 lives.

1955

The military coup to unseat President Juan Perón of Argentina is launched at midnight.

The Revolución Libertadora as it named itself, was the civic-military dictatorship that ruled the Argentine Republic after overthrowing President Juan Domingo Perón, shutting down …

The military coup to unseat President Juan Perón of Argentina is launched at midnight.

1955

A Soviet Zulu-class submarine becomes the first to launch a ballistic missile.

The Soviet Navy's Project 611 were one of the first Soviet post-Second-World-War attack submarines. They were similarly capable to the American GUPPY fleet-boat conversions. They w…

A Soviet Zulu-class submarine becomes the first to launch a ballistic missile.

1955

The Treaty on Relations between the USSR and the GDR is signed.

The Treaty on Relations Between the USSR and GDR was a treaty between the Soviet Union and German Democratic Republic, commonly known as East Germany, signed on 20 September 1955. …

The Treaty on Relations between the USSR and the GDR is signed.

1955

The Royal Jordanian Air Force is founded.

The Royal Jordanian Air Force is the aerial warfare branch of the Jordanian Armed Forces. Founded in 1955, the RJAF serves as the primary air defense organization in Jordan, with t…

The Royal Jordanian Air Force is founded.

1955

Prime Minister Ngô Đình Diệm defeats former emperor Bảo Đại in a referendum and founds the Republic of Vietnam.

Ngô Đình Diệm was a South Vietnamese politician. He was the final prime minister of the State of Vietnam (1954–1955), and later the first president of South Vietnam from 1955 until…

Prime Minister Ngô Đình Diệm defeats former emperor Bảo Đại in a referendum and founds the Republic of Vietnam.

1955

Twenty-nine nations meet at Bandung, Indonesia, for the first Asian-African Conference

Bandung is the capital city of the West Java province of Indonesia. Located on the western highland of Java island, it has one of the coolest climates compared to other provincial …

Twenty-nine nations meet at Bandung, Indonesia, for the first Asian-African Conference

1955

The Bandung Conference ends: Twenty-nine non-aligned nations of Asia and Africa finish a meeting that condemns coloniali

The first large-scale Asian–African or Afro–Asian Conference, also known as the Bandung Conference, was a meeting of Asian and African states, most of which were newly independent,…

The Bandung Conference ends: Twenty-nine non-aligned nations of Asia and Africa finish a meeting that condemns coloniali

1955

Cold War: West Germany joins NATO

The Cold War was a period of international geopolitical rivalry between the United States (US) and the Soviet Union (USSR) and their respective allies, the capitalist Western Bloc …

Cold War: West Germany joins NATO

1955

Ngô Đình Diệm proclaims himself as President of the newly created Republic of Vietnam.

Ngô Đình Diệm was a South Vietnamese politician. He was the final prime minister of the State of Vietnam (1954–1955), and later the first president of South Vietnam from 1955 until…

Ngô Đình Diệm proclaims himself as President of the newly created Republic of Vietnam.

1955

Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg

Henri is a member of the grand ducal family of Luxembourg who reigned as Grand Duke of Luxembourg from 2000 until his abdication in 2025.

Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg

1955

Todd Lickliter, American basketball player and coach

Todd Arlan Lickliter is the former head coach of the Evansville Purple Aces men's basketball team of the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC). He was previously the head coach of Maria…

Todd Lickliter, American basketball player and coach

1955

Pete Shelley, English singer-songwriter and guitarist (died 2018)

Pete Shelley was an English singer, songwriter and guitarist. He formed early punk band Buzzcocks with Howard Devoto in 1976, and became the lead singer and guitarist in 1977 when …

Pete Shelley, English singer-songwriter and guitarist (died 2018)