“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!!!!”

CFPL News Stories for 1956:

Weather Problems	Winter Storms Cripple Southwestern Ontario	Six Brides and Six Grooms say "I Do" in Blenheim
Freighters Collide in St. Clair River and Railroad Collision in Galt	Three Canadian Boats Fired Upon and Seized for Fishing in American Waters	Chatham Maroons Win Hockey Championship
Developments in Science and Industry in Western Ontario	Vandalism in Mount Bridges Results in Special Police Force	Two Separate Missing Boy Incidents Have Happy Endings
Soldiers Prepare for Peace-Keeping Mission in the Middle East	Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong Talks About Playing in Europe and for the Royal Family

National and International News Stories of 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.

Story Citations: Film footage       Scripts This Was 1956 – Year End Show 1956 (excerpts) black and white 16mm motion picture film, silent and sound Reference Code: F 4396-2-1-3 Archives of Ontario This Was 1956 – Year End Show 1956 (excerpts) news script Reference Code: F 4396-2-2 Archives of Ontario