On this day

August 12, 1956

Revisit the news, notable people, and historical moments connected to this date.

Historical Context for August 12, 1956

In 1956, the world population was approximately 2,795,409,994 people^[†]

Notable Births

1956Lee Freedman, Australian horse trainer^[†]

David Lee Freedman is an Australian thoroughbred racehorse trainer. and Hall of Fame inductee. In partnership with brothers Anthony, Michael, and Richard, he has been a prolific winner of Australia's major races in past 20 years, with four Golden Slippers, four Caulfield Cups, two Cox Plates, and five Melbourne Cups, including two of the three won by Makybe Diva. On 19 June 2007 he won the prestigious King's Stand Stakes at the United Kingdom's Royal Ascot racecourse with his champion mare, Miss Andretti.

1956Bruce Greenwood, Canadian actor and producer^[†]

Stuart Bruce Greenwood is a Canadian actor and producer. He has starred in five films by Canadian filmmaker Atom Egoyan and has been nominated for three Canadian Screen Awards, once for Best Actor for Elephant Song (2014) and twice for Best Supporting Actor, for The Sweet Hereafter (1997) and Being Julia (2004).

1956Sidath Wettimuny, Sri Lankan cricketer^[†]

Sidath Wettimuny is a Sri Lankan former cricketer, who played Test cricket and One Day Internationals as an opening batsman from 1982 to 1987. Wettimuny was a typical 1980s opening batsman in that he often played very defensively, grafting for his runs, and his ODI strike rate of 48 shows this quite clearly. In 1985, he was named as one of Wisden's Five Cricketers of the Year.

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Headlines from August 12, 1956

U.S. LOSING EDGE IN PLANE QUALITY, TWINING ASSERTS; General Tells Senate Soviet Designs a Heavy Bomber for Supersonic Speed

By Alvin Shuster Special To the New York Times

Twining, Lt Gens Putt and Irvine see USSR closing gap on USAF, Sen (Symington) subcom; Putt urges accelerated program; Twining warns USSR has large quantitative lead

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Truman's Move Disrupts Efforts To Reach Accord on Civil Rights; CRISIS DEVELOPS ON RIGHTS PLANK

By William S. White Special To the New York Times

crisis over rights plank seen as Truman backs Harriman, leading figure for 'strong' plank; change in Stevenson position seen reviving Harriman forces' plans for plank which Southerners are not prepared to accept; situation seen giving Sen Johnson chance to serve as bridge between North and South; he is ready to settle for plank close to those of '48 and '52, news conf; some incidents at Platform Com hearing

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BIPARTISAN STAND SOUGHT BY DULLES; U.S. Unity on Suez Policy to Be Aim at White House Talk Today on Issue

By Harrison E. Salisbury Special To the New York Times

he is wk-end White House guest

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HARRIMAN ELATED BY ENDORSEMENT; He Hears Truman Decision on TV--Aides Predict 2d Ballot Nomination Harriman Is Elated by Support; Second-Ballot Victory Predicted

By Leo Egan Special To the New York Times

CHICAGO, Aug. 11--Governor Harriman and his backers for the Democratic Presidential nomination were elated tonight by former President Harry S. Truman's endorsement.

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STEVENSON SHOWS A SENSE OF RELIEF; Intimates Report He Is 'Out From Under' Truman's Influence--See Victory

By William M. Blair Special To the New York Times

Stevenson relieved at Truman choice; aides say he it now 'out from under' Truman shadow; Stevenson says statement does not alter his regard for Truman, news conf; confident of victory; cites '52 vote, '56 primary vote; Finnegan concedes some defections; links Truman decision to loyalty to friends; Stevenson confs with Rayburn, begins visits to state delegations; illus making announcement on Truman

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JAPAN SAID TO BID FOR COMPROMISE ON MOSCOW PACT; Shigemitsu Seen Giving Way on Issue of Islands--Time for Agreement Short

By Welles Hangen Special To the New York Times

Shigemitsu confs with Shepilov, reptdly offers compromise; says he is 'flexible'; observers see retreat from territorial demands; time for accord short before Shigemitsu leaves for London

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JOHNSON IN RACE; Some Democrats Feel Illinoisan's Chances Now Are in Peril 'Serious Candidate' Statement by Stevenson TRUMAN SUPPORTS HARRIMAN'S RACE Truman Bars Questions Symington Chances Rise

By W. H. Lawrence Special To the New York Times

defeatism of 2 mos ago noted

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Storms Add to Woe Of Polish Farmers; Much Grain Is Lost; CRISIS DEVELOPS IN POLISH FARMING

By Sydney Gruson Special To the New York Times

Rains delay harvest; 20-30% of output may be lost; Govt plans new purchases from Canada

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8 Killed in 2 L.I. Auto Crashes; Jackson Pollock Among Victims; Technique Was Unorthodox EIGHT DEAD ON L.I. IN TWO ACCIDENTS

By Special to The New York Times

Killed, car crash

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EGYPT HELD ABLE TO PAY OFF CANAL; Paris-London Experts Say Sterling Balances Could More Than Meet Bill Outstanding Capital Stock Cape Route Suggested

By Harold Callender Special To the New York Times

suggests alternatives

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SHEPILOV TO JOIN SUEZ CONFERENCE; Soviet Foreign Chief Gets British Rejection of Bid to Delay or Widen Talks Believed to Back Guarantee Hall Baghdad Pack Rift

By Special to The New York Times

USSR rejects Israeli bid to take up blockade issue at London conf on Suez seizure

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ALGIERS BLAST LAID TO REBELS' POWDER

By Special to The New York Times

Algiers radio repts French engineers lay Casbah blast to accident in rebel powder magazine; nationalists blame counter-terrorists; death toll is 15; 21 injured in terrorist outbursts, Algiers

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