1956: Difference between revisions

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==Events==
==Events==
* [[Frank P. Samford, Jr]] commissioned a bronze replica of the Statue of Liberty for the [[Liberty National Building]].
* [[Frank Samford Jr]] commissioned a bronze replica of the Statue of Liberty for the [[Liberty National Building]].
* The [[Woodlawn High School]] debate team won the inaugural Barkley Forum tournament in Atlanta.
* [[Maytown]] was incorporated.
* [[Bull Connor]] began his second term as [[Commissioner of Public Safety]].
* [[March 3]]: Brothers [[Billy Dye|Billy]] and [[Robert Dye]] and their cousin [[Dan Brasher]] disappeared.
* [[David F. Friedman]] began his career in exploitation films by partnering with Kroger Babb.
* [[March 25]]-[[April 1]]: "Holiday on Ice" was presented at [[Boutwell Auditorium|Municipal Auditorium]]. (One show for African Americans was held on April 1 at 8:30 PM.)
* [[Mack Russell]] succeeded [[Norris Hadaway]] as manager of the [[Alabama Theatre]].
* [[March 28]]: Federal funding for the [[Avondale Urban Renewal project]] was approved by the Housing and Home Finance Agency.
* [[Cecil M. Johnson]] was named [[Birmingham Woman of the Year]].
* [[April 15]]: An [[1956 Birmingham tornado|F4 tornado]] killed 25 and injured 200 along a 20 mile path through [[Pleasant Grove]], [[McDonald Chapel]] and [[Trussville]].
* [[May 3]]: The [[Birmingham Amateur Radio Club]] was incorporated with [[Layton Dorman]], president.
* [[June 1]]: The [[Skyview Drive-In]] opened in [[Fultondale]].
* The [[Birmingham Community Chest]] changed its name to [[United Appeal]].
* The [[Birmingham Community Chest]] changed its name to [[United Appeal]].
* [[WAPI-AM]], [[WAFM-FM]], [[WAPI-TV]] and the ''[[Birmingham News]]'' were sold to Newhouse.
* The [[Birmingham Symphony Orchestra]] debuted as a fully professional ensemble.
* Rock bands [[The Knightmares]] and [[The Premiers]] were founded.
* The [[Apollo Boys' Choir]] disbanded at the retirement of founder [[Coleman Cooper]].
* The city of [[Ohatchee]] was incorporated.
 
===Civil Rights movement===
* [[February 3]]: [[Autherine Lucy]] enrolled at the [[University of Alabama]]. She was expelled a week later for causing disruption.
* [[April 10]]: Three Klansmen [[1956 Nat King Cole assault|assaulted singer Nat King Cole]] on stage during a performance at [[Municipal Auditorium]]. They were each sentenced to 180 days in jail.
* [[May 26]]: A Montgomery judge banned the [[NAACP]] from operating in Alabama.
* [[June 5]]: The [[Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights]] was founded by [[Fred Shuttlesworth]] at [[Sardis Baptist Church]]. [[Abraham Woods Jr]] was vice-president.
* [[Bull Connor]] was elected to the [[Birmingham City Commission]] after a four-year absence.
* [[December 25]]: [[Fred Shuttlesworth]]'s [[Fred Shuttlesworth residence|home]] was [[List of racially-motivated bombings|bombed]]. He emerged from the basement unscathed.
* [[December 26]]: [[Fred Shuttlesworth]] led hundreds of Blacks onto Birmingham busses in defiance of local [[segregation laws|law]]. 22 were arrested and the [[ACMHR]] filed a federal lawsuit against the police.
 
===Business===
* [[February 22]]: [[Bruno's]] supermarket at 407 [[19th Street North Bessemer|19th Street]] in [[Bessemer]] held its grand opening.
* [[March 21]]: Equipment supplier [[Vulcan Service Company]] opened a new headquarters at 714 [[3rd Avenue North]] in [[Smithfield]].
* [[April 16]]: [[Phipps Piano Co.]] opened on [[4th Avenue North]].
* [[September 19]]: [[Bruno's]] supermarket at [[Powderly]] held its grand opening.
* [[WAPI-AM]], [[WAFM-FM]], [[WAPI-TV]] and the ''[[Birmingham News]]'' were sold to Samuel Newhouse.
* The [[Jefferson County Truck Growers Association]] moved to [[Finley Avenue]].
* The [[Jefferson County Truck Growers Association]] moved to [[Finley Avenue]].
* January 15: The [[University of Montevallo]] became coeducational.
* The [[Tutwiler Hotel (1914)|Tutwiler Hotel]] was purchased by J. Henry Hoffman for $1,250,000.
* [[Maytown]] was incorporated.
* [[Sloan Bashinsky Sr]] purchased [[Golden Flake|Magic City Foods]] from his father and uncle.
* April 15: An F4 tornado killed 25 and injured 200 along a 20 mile path through [[Pleasant Grove]], [[McDonald Chapel]] and [[Trussville]].
* A labor strike against the local [[Tip-Top Bakery]] was marked by sabotage.
* May 3: The [[Birmingham Amateur Radio Club]] was incorporated with [[Layton Dorman]], president.
* [[WFHK-AM]] began broadcasting from [[Pell City]].
* [[Joe's Restaurant]] opened in [[Woodlawn]].
* [[Anderson Electric|Anderson Brass Works]] went public as [[Anderson Electric]].
* The [[La Rocca Nursing Home]] opened in [[Tuscaloosa]].
* [[Birmingham Financial Federal Credit Union]] was founded.
* [[Houston Blount]] joined the board of directors of [[Vulcan Materials]].
* [[Homer Milam]] opened the [[Artists Recording Company]] above [[Britling Cafeteria]] on [[1st Avenue North]].
* [[Plantation Patterns]] was founded by [[Tom Jernigan]], [[William Jernigan]], [[John Goodwin]] and [[James Stone]].
* [[Tommy Watkins]] opened [[Watkins Cleaners]] in [[Homewood]].
 
===Education===
* The [[Woodlawn High School]] debate team won the inaugural Barkley Forum tournament in Atlanta.
* [[June 10]]: The [[Tidwell Hall|University of Alabama Extension Center]] building was named [[Tidwell Hall]].
* August: [[Saint Rose Academy]] was founded in the [[Terence Mackin residence]] on [[Red Mountain]].
* The [[University of Montevallo]] became coeducational.
* [[Alice Pigman]] founded the [[Alice Pigman Center|Opportunity Center School]] for intellectually-disabled children.
* [[Cullman City Schools]]' [[West Elementary School]] opened.


===Civil Rights Movement===
===Religion===
* February 1: [[Autherine Lucy]] enrolled at the [[University of Alabama]]. She was expelled a week later for causing disruption.
* October: [[St Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church]] in [[Montevallo]] was raised from mission church to parish with Reverend [[Thomas J. Blythe]] as resident pastor.
* April 10: Kenneth Adams, E. L. Vinson & Willis Vinson assaulted singer Nat King Cole on stage during a performance at [[Municipal Auditorium]]. They were each sentenced to 180 days in jail.
* May 26: A Montgomery judge banned the NAACP from operating in Alabama.
* June 5: The [[Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights]] was founded by [[Fred Shuttlesworth]] at [[Sardis Baptist Church]].
* December 25: [[Fred Shuttlesworth]]'s home was bombed. He emerged from the basement unscathed.
* December 26: [[Fred Shuttlesworth]] led hundreds of Blacks onto Birmingham busses in defiance of local [[segregation laws|law]]. 22 are arrested and Shuttlesworth files a federal lawsuit against the police.


===Sports===
===Sports===
* February 15: The Pittsburgh Pirates and Kansas City A's cancelled an exhibition at [[Rickwood Field]] due to segregation ordinances.
* [[February 15]]: The Pittsburgh Pirates and Kansas City A's cancelled an exhibition at [[Rickwood Field]] due to segregation ordinances.
* The [[Birmingham Black Barons]] played their first season in the new Negro American League.
* The [[Birmingham Black Barons]] played their first season in the new Negro American League.
* December 1: [[Auburn University|Auburn]] defeated the [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] 34-7 in the [[1956 Iron Bowl]] at [[Legion Field]].
* [[December 1]]: [[Auburn University|Auburn]] defeated the [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] 34-7 in the [[1956 Iron Bowl]] at [[Legion Field]], and finished the season with a 7-3 record.
* [[University of Alabama|Alabama]]'s men's basketball team was SEC champion with a 14-0 league record (21-3 overall).
* [[University of Alabama|Alabama]]'s men's basketball team was SEC champion with a 14-0 league record (21-3 overall).
* October 20: [[Howard College]]'s final homecoming game at its [[East Lake]] campus was won 25-6 by Carson-Newman under steady rain. Viola Beard reigned as queen.
* [[October 20]]: [[Howard College]]'s final homecoming game at its [[East Lake]] campus was won 25-6 by Carson-Newman under steady rain. Viola Beard reigned as queen.
* [[Milton Graff]] set a [[Birmingham Barons]] single season record for at bats with 653.
* [[Milton Graff]] set a [[Birmingham Barons]] single season record for at bats with 653.
* The [[Magic City Classic]] ends in a 0-0 tie.
* The [[Magic City Classic]] ended in a 0-0 tie.
* [[Virgil Trucks]] became a relief pitcher for the Detroit Tigers.
* [[Elbert Jemison]] won the Alabama Amateur Golf championship.


===Music===
==Individuals==
* The [[Birmingham Symphony Orchestra]] debuted as a fully professional ensemble.
* [[Richmond Beatty]] retired from the faculty of Vanderbilt University.
* [[Hugh Martin]] and Ralph Blane released the album "Martin and Blane Sing Martin and Blane".
* [[Frances Carter|Frances]] and [[John Carter]] began teaching at [[Howard College]].
* [[Tommy Charles]] released the single "Our Love Affair"/"If You Were Me" on Decca Records.
* [[Bull Connor]] began his second term as [[Commissioner of Public Safety]].
* [[B. Roper Dial]] succeeded [[William Hoover]] as president of [[The Club]].
* [[David F. Friedman]] began his career in exploitation films by partnering with Kroger Babb.
* [[Hueytown High School]] principal [[Harley F. Gilmore]] retired.
* [[Cliff Holman|"Cousin Cliff" Holman]]'s "[[Tip-Top Clubhouse]]" was cancelled and he took over hosting the hour-long [[Circle Six Ranch]] program.
* [[Luther Patrick]] served as delegate to the Democratic National Convention.
* [[James Pittman]] moved to Birmingham for a residency under internist [[Tinsley Harrison]].
* [[Constance Pittman]] moved to Birmingham for a residency under doctors [[Tinsley Harrison]] and [[Walter Frommeyer]].
* [[Newton Price]] resigned from [[West End High School]]
* [[Mack Russell]] succeeded [[Norris Hadaway]] as manager of the [[Alabama Theatre]].
* [[E. G. Walker]] succeeded [[Ray Acton]] as Mayor of [[Homewood]].
* [[Arthur Winograd]] left the Juilliard String Quartet to become a conductor for MGM Records.
* [[Edwin H. Wood]] became chief of the [[Homewood Police Department]].
* [[Charles Vines]] succeeded [[Harley Gilmore]] as principal of [[Hueytown High School]].


==Births==
===Births===
* July 11: [[Sela Ward]], actress and model
* [[March 1]]: [[Sue Bell Cobb]], Chief justice of the [[Alabama Supreme Court]]
* August 19: [[Buddy Aydelette]], football player and politician
* [[March 6]]: [[Sammy Lee]], professional fisherman and radio host
* October 10: [[Johnny O'Neal]], jazz pianist
* [[March 16]]: [[Ozzie Newsome]], football player and NFL executive
* December 14: [[Tony Nathan]], football player and coach
* [[March 28]]: [[Joey Kennedy]], Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial columnist
* [[April 18]]: [[Jay Miller]], [[Midfield Police Department]] veteran and [[Jefferson County Sheriff's Office]] sergeant
* [[May 29]]: [[Dominick Brascia]], actor and radio personality
* June: [[Joe Hilley]], author
* [[June 6]]: [[Ronald Mims]], [[Birmingham Water Works]] board chair
* [[July 11]]: [[Sela Ward]], actress and model
* [[July 16]]: [[Rich Wingo]], linebacker
* [[July 18]]: [[Emily Lyons]], nurse and [[1998 abortion clinic bombing]] victim
* [[August 4]]: [[Kim Walker]], bartender
* [[August 19]]: [[Buddy Aydelette]], football player and politician
* [[August 23]]: [[Douglas L. Ragland]], superintendent of [[Midfield City Schools]]
* [[September 2]]: State Senator [[Del Marsh]] in Wheeling, West Virginia
* [[September 5]]: [[Kevin Peasant]], [[Elmwood Cemetery]] salesman
* [[September 9]]: [[Myrna Ria Ross]], choir director
* [[October 2]]: [[Kamau Afrika]], community activist
* [[October 10]]: [[Johnny O'Neal]], jazz pianist
* [[November 12]]: [[Michael Flowers]], [[Birmingham-Southern Theatre]] chair
* [[December 14]]: [[Tony Nathan]], football player and coach
* [[Otis Agee]], minister
* [[David Cochran]], [[Blount County Commission]]
* [[Henry Clay Dennison]], miner
* [[Larry O. Gay]], photographer
* [[Thomas Hargrove]], retired ''[[Birmingham Post-Herald]]'' reporter
* [[Priscilla McWilliams]], minister and [[Pleasant Grove City Council]] member
* [[Ray Melick]], sportswriter
* [[Joel Montgomery]], [[Birmingham City Council]] member
* [[Han Nolan]], author
* [[Han Nolan]], author
* [[Sarah Patterson]], [[Alabama Crimson Tide]] gymnastics coach
* [[Charles Ridley]], peanut vendor
* [[Melissa Springer]], photographer


==Buildings==
===Awards===
* [[Birmingham Woman of the Year]]: [[Cecil M. Johnson]]
* [[Miss Alabama]]: [[Anne Stuart Arial]]
* [[Mr Crestwood]]: [[Woodrow Wilson]]
* Guggenheim Fellowship: [[Roland Frye]]
* Fulbright Scholarship: [[John C. Fletcher Jr]]
* [[Nolan Harmon]] was elected a bishop of the Methodist Church
 
===Graduations===
* [[Edward Burges]], earned a bachelor of science, ''cum laude'', from [[Auburn University]].
* [[Don Drennen Jr]] graduated from the Virginia Military Institute.
* [[Don Morrison]] earned his bachelor's degree in architecture from [[Auburn University]].
* [[Lee Walls]] earned a bachelor's degree in management from the [[University of Alabama]].
 
===Deaths===
* [[April 5]]: [[Heman Drummond]], mine owner
* [[April 19]]: [[Jap Bryant]], [[Mayor of Bessemer]]
* [[July 14]]: [[J. D. Webb]], city engineer
* [[July 30]]: [[Tommy Sewell]], baseball player
* [[August 4]]: [[Edwin Stephenson]], murderer of Father [[James Coyle]]
* [[October 6]]: [[Hannah Elliott]], artist and art teacher
* [[November 11]]: [[Isaac Beatty Jr]], real estate executive
* [[November 25]]: [[Coleman Hudson]], former [[Tutwiler Hotel]] manager
* [[Ottokar Cadek]], violinist
* [[Robert Dye|Robert]] and [[Billy Dye]] and [[Dan Brasher]], presumed murder victims
 
==Works==
===Books===
* ''Kings Go Forth'' by [[Joe David Brown]]
 
===Buildings===
* [[2015 Highland Avenue]]
* [[American Legion Post No. 35]], [[Ensley]]
* [[Birmingham University School]] second building
* [[Dupuy Administrative Building|Anna Dupuy Elementary School]]
* [[Dupuy Administrative Building|Anna Dupuy Elementary School]]
* [[Pell City City Hall]]
* [[Stafford Plaza|Hotel Stafford]]
* [[Shades Valley Lodge No. 829]]
* [[Smithfield Library]]
* [[Skyview Drive-In]]
* [[Vestavia Hills City Hall]]
* [[Vestavia Hills City Hall]]
* [[West Elementary School]], [[Cullman]]
* Grading work began on a new 4-lane section of [[U.S. Highway 31]] between [[Kimberly]] and the [[Blount County]]/[[Jefferson County]] line which would eventually become part of [[I-65]].
===Music===
* [[Hugh Martin]] and Ralph Blane released the album "Martin and Blane Sing Martin and Blane".
* [[Tommy Charles]] released the single "Our Love Affair"/"If You Were Me" on Decca Records.


==Context==
==Context==
The 1956 Winter Games were held in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. The Summer Olympics were in Melbourne, Australia. Elvis Presley had his first hit single, "Heartbreak Hotel".  Morocco declared independence from France. ''My Fair Lady'' opened on Broadway. Grace Kelly married Prince Rainier of Monaco and Maralyn Monroe married Arthur Miller. "Under God" was added to the Pledge of Allegiance and "In God We Trust" was made the national motto. Yankee Don Larsen pitched a perfect game 5 of the World Series against the Brooklyn Dodgers. President Eisenhower was re-elected, and Japan joined the United Nations.
The 1956 Winter Games were held in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. The Summer Olympics were in Melbourne, Australia. Elvis Presley had his first hit single, "Heartbreak Hotel".  Morocco declared independence from France. ''My Fair Lady'' opened on Broadway. Grace Kelly married Prince Rainier of Monaco and Marilyn Monroe married Arthur Miller. "Under God" was added to the Pledge of Allegiance and "In God We Trust" was made the national motto. Yankee Don Larsen pitched a perfect game 5 of the World Series against the Brooklyn Dodgers. President Eisenhower was re-elected, and Japan joined the United Nations.


Notable 1956 births included Mel Gibson, Sugar Ray Leonard, Tom Hanks, Martina Navratilova, Dwight Yoakam, Bo Derek, and Larry Bird. Deaths that year included H. L. Mencken, A. A. Milne, Connie Mack, Jackson Pollock, Bertolt Brecht, Bela Lugosi, Art Tatum, and Tommy Dorsey.
Notable 1956 births included Mel Gibson, Sugar Ray Leonard, Tom Hanks, Martina Navratilova, Dwight Yoakam, Bo Derek, and Larry Bird. Deaths that year included H. L. Mencken, A. A. Milne, Connie Mack, Jackson Pollock, Bertolt Brecht, Bela Lugosi, Art Tatum, and Tommy Dorsey.

Latest revision as of 11:42, 23 April 2024

1956 was the 85th year after the founding of the City of Birmingham.

Events

Civil Rights movement

Business

Education

Religion

Sports

Individuals

Births

Awards

Graduations

Deaths

Works

Books

Buildings

Music

  • Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane released the album "Martin and Blane Sing Martin and Blane".
  • Tommy Charles released the single "Our Love Affair"/"If You Were Me" on Decca Records.

Context

The 1956 Winter Games were held in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. The Summer Olympics were in Melbourne, Australia. Elvis Presley had his first hit single, "Heartbreak Hotel". Morocco declared independence from France. My Fair Lady opened on Broadway. Grace Kelly married Prince Rainier of Monaco and Marilyn Monroe married Arthur Miller. "Under God" was added to the Pledge of Allegiance and "In God We Trust" was made the national motto. Yankee Don Larsen pitched a perfect game 5 of the World Series against the Brooklyn Dodgers. President Eisenhower was re-elected, and Japan joined the United Nations.

Notable 1956 births included Mel Gibson, Sugar Ray Leonard, Tom Hanks, Martina Navratilova, Dwight Yoakam, Bo Derek, and Larry Bird. Deaths that year included H. L. Mencken, A. A. Milne, Connie Mack, Jackson Pollock, Bertolt Brecht, Bela Lugosi, Art Tatum, and Tommy Dorsey.

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