Historical Events
- A new year event causes panic and stampedes at Yahiko Shrine, Yahiko, central Niigata, Japan, killing at least 124 people
- KHAS TV channel 5 in Hastings, Nebraska (NBC) begins broadcasting
- KOSA TV channel 7 in Odessa, Texas (CBS) begins broadcasting
- Sudan (Anglo-Egyptian Sudan) declares independence from Egypt & UK
- WREC (now WREG) TV channel 3 in Memphis, Tennessee (CBS) begins broadcasting
Famous Birthdays
- Abdalla Hamdok, Sudanese politician (Prime Minister of Sudan 2021-22), born in Al Dibaibat, Sudan
- Anatoli Borisovich Polonsky, Russian lt-colonel/cosmonaut
- Andy Gill, British guitarist and record producer (Gang of Four - "Damaged Goods"), born in Manchester, England (d. 2020)
Christine Lagarde (68 years old)
French lawyer and politician, 1st female head of the IMF, born in Paris
- John O'Donohue, Irish poet (Anam Cara; Benedictus), philosopher, theologian, and one-time priest, born in Connemara, Ireland (d. 2008)
- Kôji Yakusho [Hashimoto], Japanese actor (Shall We Dance?), born in Isahaya, Nagasaki, Japan
- Mark R. Hughes, American entrepreneur (founder and CEO of Herbalife International), born in La Mirada, California Ltd, d. 2000)
- Martin Plaza [Murphy], Australian new wave singer-songwriter (Mental As Anything - "Live It Up"; solo - "Concrete and Clay"), born in Sydney, Australia
- Mike Mitchell, American basketball small forward (NBA All-Star 1981; Italian League top scorer 1998), born in Atlanta, Georgia (d. 2011)
- Sergei Vasiliyevich Avdeyev, Russian cosmonaut (Soyuz TM-15, SK:TM-28)
- Sergio Victor Palma, Argentine boxer (WBA Super Bantamweight champion 1980-82), born in La Tigra, Argentina (d. 2021)
Famous Weddings
Gene Hackman
American actor Gene Hackman (25) weds Fay Maltese; divorce in 1986
Died in 1956 1956 Highlights
About January 1, 1956
Day of the Week: Sunday
How Long Ago? 68 years, 3 months and 27 days
Leap Year: Yes
Generation: Baby Boomer
Chinese Zodiac: Goat/Sheep
Star Sign: Capricorn
Music Charts
#1 Song: Rock Around The Clock - Bill Haley & His Comets
