1956

Unknown date

 * France grants the North African colony of Kebiria its independence, but civil war quickly erupts in that country (MA: Dancing the Code).

October

 * 28 - Elvis Presley makes his second appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show, performing "Hound Dog" among other songs. The Doctor and Rose Tyler attempt to travel to this date to view this event, but end up being detoured to 1953 London. (DW: The Idiot's Lantern) Presley made three appearances on Sullivan's show, performing "Hound Dog" on all three occasions, however the October 28, 1956 performance is the only one that is likely to have been the Doctor's intended destination, as Presley's first performance of the song was not done in front of a live audience and his third performance occurred in January 1957, after the year stated in dialogue.

April

 * 18 - Eric Roberts, who portrayed the Master in the 1996 Doctor Who television movie, is born in Biloxi, Mississippi.

September

 * 24 - The Adventures of Sir Lancelot debuts in the United States. One of the first UK-produced series to air in the US, the series brought stardom to its lead actor, William Russell.