WHAT ALL HAPPENED APRIL TO JUNE 1956
Find out what all happened April to June 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)

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)

The polio vaccine developed by Jonas Salk is made available to the public. (1. May 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)

A Venezuelan Super-Constellation crashes in the Atlantic Ocean off Asbury Park, New Jersey, killing 74 people. (20. June 1956)

Former Vice President and Senator Alben Barkley dies during a speech in Virginia. He collapses after proclaiming "I would rather be a servant in the house of the lord than sit in the seats of the mighty." (30. April 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)

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

SS Ideal X, the world's first successful container ship, leaves Port Newark, New Jersey for Houston, Texas. (26. April 1956)

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

Conclusion of the Sixth Buddhist Council on Vesak Day, marking the 2,500 year anniversary after the Lord Buddha's Parinibbāna. (24. May 1956)

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

Fidel Castro declares himself at war with the President of Cuba. (5. April 1956)

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

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)

Spain relinquishes its protectorate in Morocco. (7. April 1956)

In Sri Lanka, the Mahajana Eksath Peramuna win the general elections in a landslide and S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike is sworn in as the Prime Minister. (5. April 1956)

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