May 18, 1956
Gas cost $0.30 a gallon in the spring of 1956, and the Dow Jones stood at 499 — the U.S. was pressing Egypt to join a ceasefire on the Israeli border as tensions in the Middle East kept American diplomats working through the season. On television, "I Love Lucy" remained the country's most-watched show, while readers were picking up William Brinkley's novel "Don't Go Near the Water" from the bestseller lists. The Philadelphia Warriors took the NBA title over the Fort Wayne Pistons that spring, the same season a British test aircraft called the Fairey Delta 2 became the first plane to exceed 1,000 miles per hour in level flight, setting a new world air speed record of 1,132 mph.
On the cover
Magazine Covers — May 18, 1956
NY Times Headlines — Week of May 18, 1956
President Vexed By Service Fight; Inquiries Slated; Wilson, After Talk At White House, Says Eisenhower Is 'A Bit Unhappy' Pentagon Warned Anew 2 Senate Groups Planning To Query Military Chiefs On Defining Missions Calls It A 'Rash' President Vexed By Service Fight Refers To Research Chief Burke Denies Rift
Dulles Reproves Nasser Over Ties With Red Chinese; Expresses 'Regret' For Cairo Government'S Recognition Of Regime In Peiping Voices Mideast Hopes Visit Of An Egyptian To Israel Cited--Advance Word On Soviet Arms Cut Denied U.S. May Bar Help On Dam Nasser Is Reproached By Dulles For Egypt'S Ties With Red China U.S. Envoy Sees Syrian Premier
World Events — May 1956
Time Person of the Year — 1956
On the radio
Billboard Charts — May 18, 1956
On the bookshelf
On the television
Nielsen Top 10 — 1955–56 Season
Emmy Winners — 1956
At the movies
Box Office & Oscar Winners — May 18, 1956
On the field
Sports Champions — May 18, 1956
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