Featured moment
Elvis Presley Appears on Ed Sullivan
Elvis's hip-shaking performance was viewed by a record 60 million people, launching him to superstardom.
The King of Rock and Roll.
Elvis Presley became a superstar, the Interstate Highway System began, and the hard disk drive was invented.
The Cost of Living in 1956
Gallon of Gas
$0.29
Loaf of Bread
$0.18
Gallon of Milk
$0.94
World Population
2.82 billion
Featured moment
Interstate Highway System Created
President Eisenhower signed the act to build a 41,000-mile highway network, reshaping American travel and commerce.
Featured moment
IBM Invents the Hard Disk Drive
The IBM 305 RAMAC introduced magnetic disk storage, holding 5MB of data in a machine the size of two refrigerators.
The wider picture
More from 1956
A few more things worth remembering.
World Events
Hungarian Revolution
A nationwide revolt against the Marxist-Leninist government was brutally crushed by Soviet forces.
World Events
Suez Crisis
Israel, the UK, and France invaded Egypt to regain control of the Suez Canal, shifting global power dynamics.
Technology
First Commercial Videotape Recorder
Ampex demonstrated the VRX-1000, revolutionizing television production by ending the reliance on live broadcasts.
Pop Culture
Grace Kelly Marries Prince Rainier III
The Hollywood star's marriage to the Prince of Monaco was dubbed the "Wedding of the Century."
You arrivedin 1956.
The longer view
This was only the opening scene.
Follow the world as it changed around you, from 1956 to today.