Remember to spread Christmas Cheer and to be – Thankful, Patient, Grateful, Charitable, Kind, Smile, Laugh, and if at a Holiday Party – “To Sing Loud and Clear for All the World to Hear!”
I was born in February in a big house on Manoa Road in Havertown, which my parents jointly owned with two uncles, both priests, to care for my mother’s mother. She passed in August of that year. The house was sold, and we moved into 5834 Springfield Ave., SW Philly, in Most Blessed Sacrament Parish. I used to say to them. “What happened? I came along, and the conifers ran dry, adding that we might be the only family I know who did the reverse of everyone else!” All kidding aside, I wouldn’t trade my childhood formative years for anything. Below are some of the events of the year 1956, where Elvis reigned on the charts!
In 1956, Dwight D. Eisenhower was reelected for a second term as President of the United States. The Atomic Energy Commission approved the first nuclear power plant. Congress adopts the Highway Act, creating the first Interstate highway system. Fidel Castro began his revolution in Cuba, while Khruschev denounced and began the de-Stalinization of Russia.
Egypt seizes the Suez Canal, destabilizing the Middle East, sparking Britain and France to respond with force. The US and the Soviet Union helped negotiate a cease-fire. Israel invades the Sinai Peninsula while the Soviets suppress an uprising in Hungary in response to the Communist regime. Also, the Italian ocean liner Andre Doria sinks after colliding with another vessel
In Science and Technology, IBM’s Thomas Watson dies just as the IBM hard disk is invented. The first transatlantic cable went into operation. Tefal produces the first non-stick frying pan.
In Sports, the New York Yankees win the World Series over the Brooklyn Dodgers 4-3. The Olympic Games are held in Melbourne, Australia, and a Heavyweight boxer, Rocky Marciano, retires with a perfect record.
The big movies were The Ten Commandments, Lust for Life, Around the World in 80 Days, The Man with the Golden Arm, and The Seventh Seal.
Top Songs were, Blue Suede Shoes, Hound Dog, I Could’ve Danced All Night, and On the Street Where You Live.
Top TV Shows: Danny Thomas, Perry Como, Ed Sullivan, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, December Bride, and This Is Your Life. Rock and Roll became a national phenomenon, fueled by Elvis Presley’s popularity. While My Fair Lady opened on Broadway in NYC, Grace Kelly married Monaco’s Prince Rainier III. Artist Jackson Pollock dies.
The Holiday Season has always been special, especially now as an author of two timeless Philadelphia Holiday Stories. The window of time to offer my esteemed customers my two written contributions to the literary world is short. Both are cheaper than a pizza, and your family and friends will enjoy them for years to come. Heck, even the E*read and Audible versions are under $4, and cheaper than a bottle of water at the movies.
Please consider purchasing the book, e*read, or the Christmas story on Audible.
I’ve included a FREE LISTEN for you and your family to enjoy. Click on the links below – Merry Christmas from our house to yours!
http://www.A-Glimpse-From-Christmas-Past@Audible.com
Amazon Store URL
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FT5W5NZ9
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