1956

January

 * 30 - Elvis Presley recorded "Blue Suede Shoes", a version of which was later heard on the planet Necros. (DW: Revelation of the Daleks)

Unknown dates

 * France granted the North African colony of Kebiria its independence, but civil war quickly erupted in that country. (MA: Dancing the Code)
 * Elvis Presley perfomed on The Ed Sullivan Show. The Tenth Doctor and Rose Tyler attempted to travel to this date to view this event, but ended up being detoured to 1953 London. (DW: The Idiot's Lantern)

January

 * 9 - Imelda Staunton, who voiced the Interface in DW: The Girl Who Waited, was born.

April

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

September

 * 18 - Tim McInnerny, who played Klineman Halpen in DW: Planet of the Ood, was born.
 * 24 - The Adventures of Sir Lancelot debuted 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.