“The forces of nature, accident, and man’s cruelty to man have marked the year which has just passed…. Yet in industry, commerce, education, and medicine, the past twelve months have fulfilled many great dreams…. 1956 has been a year in which human kindness has shone brightly in the darkest hours; this has been a year in which many have realized the true value of freedom…. CFPL-TV News is proud to herald the new year with a film journal of the past three hundred and sixty six days…. This was 1956!!!!”

• An International crisis arises when Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser nationalizes the Suez Canal.

• Lester B. Pearson, Canada's acting Minister for External Affairs, is credited with the creation of the United Nations peacekeeping force in response to the Suez Canal Crisis.

• Elvis Presley makes his first appearance on the Ed Sullivan show. Ironically, he is introduced by Charles Laughton guest hosting for Sullivan who misses five shows due to injuries sustained in a car accident.

• Hollywood actress Grace Kelly marries Prince Rainier III of Monaco.

• Hungarian national leader Imre Nagy rejects the Warsaw Pact and appeals to the United Nations for support in establishing neutrality. The Soviets respond by taking control of Hungary in what will become one of the darkest moments of the cold war.

• A group of engineers working at electronics manufacturer Zenith develop the "Space Command," a television wireless remote control that uses ultrasonic waves. The high frequencies sometimes elicit barks from nearby dogs.