Timeline

1956

Discover what happened in this year with HISTORY’s summaries of major events, anniversaries, famous births and notable deaths.

Mar

21

Arts & Entertainment

James Wong Howe becomes first Asian American to win an Academy Award

Noted for his innovative use of wide-angle shots, low-key lighting and deep focus, cinematographer James Wong Howe becomes the first Asian American to win an Academy Award on March 21, 1956.

James Wong

LOS ANGELES - FEBRUARY 18, 1956: Cinematographer James Wong Howe poses with his Oscar during the Academy Awards in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Earl Leaf/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

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Nov

04

European History

Soviets put a brutal end to Hungarian revolution

A spontaneous national uprising that began 12 days before in Hungary is viciously crushed by Soviet tanks and troops on November 4, 1956. Thousands were killed and wounded and nearly a quarter-million Hungarians fled the country.

On this day in history, November 4, Howard Carter began to uncover the tomb of the Egyptian pharaoh King Tut in 1922. This was one of the most exciting archeological discoveries of the time. On this day in 1924 the first women governor was elected. This first women governor was Nellie Tayloe Ross. On November 4, 1979, anti-American protestors stormed the U.S. Embassy in Tehran. Ninety people were taken hostage during this attack. On November 4, 1956, Soviet tanks crushed the Hungarian Revolution. The Hungarians wanted to end Soviet rule in their country, and Hungarian civilians fought Soviet militants in the streets. This led to about 30,000 Hungarian deaths, and thousands of Hungarians fled to the west after the Soviets put down the revolution.

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