1956

Events

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

January

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

October

 * 28 - Elvis Presley made 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 28th October, 1956 performance was the only one that was 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, was 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.