Calder Hall Supplies National Grid
Electricity produced at Calder Hall is delivered to the British electrical transmission system.
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1956 in Great Britain — Page 13
Explore 627 historical events and records for Great Britain in 1956.
Historical records for Great Britain in 1956
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 40 of 627 unique records.
627Unique records
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40Named events on this page
18Named people on this page
8Places on this page
Other events (month unknown)
Calder Hall Uses Magnox Fuel Technology
The station uses Magnox reactor technology with natural uranium fuel and graphite moderation.
Canal International Navigation Debate Intensifies
British discussion focuses on keeping the international shipping route accessible after the transfer of the canal company to Egypt.
CBE
Appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 1956 New Year Honours
Chelsea Youth Striker Emerges
Greaves developed in Chelsea's youth system and became known for his quick reactions and precise finishing before his senior debut.
Cockcroft Observes Nuclear Power Milestone
Calder Hall's operation illustrates the transition from experimental atomic research to industrial electricity generation.
Conference of Sevres
The Allies agree Israel should invade & Britain & France would intervene & instruct the Israeli & Egyptian armies to withdraw 10 miles either side of the canal. The Canal owners, Compagnie universelle du canal maritime de Suez, held a secret meeting between Israel, France & Britain at Sevres, outside Paris
Early Property Profit
Sells an early London property investment at a profit, increasing the capital available for further property purchases.
Eden Accepts Suez Ceasefire
Under international pressure, Eden's government agrees to halt military operations in Egypt.
Eden Announces British Military Action
Eden publicly defends British and French military action by invoking the security and operation of the canal.
Eden Appeals to Washington
Eden seeks United States support for an international response to the nationalization decision.
Eden Attends Calder Hall Opening
The prime minister attends the station's ceremonial opening in October, alongside the Queen.
Eden Authorizes Suez Intervention
Eden's government ultimately turns to military intervention after unsuccessful attempts to secure its preferred settlement.
Eden Considers Economic Retaliation
The prime minister examines financial and diplomatic measures designed to pressure the Egyptian government.
Eden Consults Senior Ministers
Eden holds urgent consultations about the canal company's seizure and British strategic interests.
Eden Debates Canal Users Association
The British government considers creating a body of canal users to strengthen international oversight of navigation.
Eden Discusses Canal With France
Eden opens intensive contacts with French leaders who also oppose Egyptian control of the canal company.
Eden Faces American Diplomatic Opposition
Eden confronts growing differences with Washington over the acceptable means of resolving the canal dispute.
Eden Faces Parliamentary Suez Debate
Opposition politicians challenge Eden's approach as the dispute develops into a major foreign policy crisis.
Eden Highlights Electricity Generation
The opening celebrates the supply of nuclear generated electricity to the public grid.
Eden Orders Military Contingency Planning
British military planners are instructed to examine options for intervention if diplomatic efforts fail.
Eden Praises British Atomic Achievement
Eden presents the nuclear station as an example of British scientific and engineering capability.
Eden Receives Suez Nationalization News
Eden learns that Gamal Abdel Nasser has announced the nationalization of the Suez Canal Company.
Eden Rejects Unconditional Egyptian Control
Eden argues that the canal's importance to international shipping requires reliable guarantees of access.
Eden Supports Civil Nuclear Development
Eden's government promotes civilian applications of nuclear technology while Britain pursues strategic atomic programmes.
Eden Supports London Canal Conference
Eden backs an international conference to establish proposals for the future operation of the waterway.
Eden Weighs United Nations Action
Eden considers how the dispute might be addressed at the United Nations while maintaining pressure on Egypt.
Election
Elected Member of Parliament, the youngest MP
End of Legendary Playing Service
Bartram finishes his long career as Charlton Athletic goalkeeper after more than six hundred league appearances.
European Footballer of the Year
Winner of the first ever European Footballer of the Year award
FA Cup
Winner of an FA Cup winners medal with Manchester City. Winner of an FA Cup winners medal.
FA Cup Final Captaincy Against Manchester City
Merrick captained Birmingham City from goal in the 1956 FA Cup final, which Manchester City won 3–1 despite Birmingham’s attempts to recover.
Financial Secretary of Treasury
Appointed Financial Secretary
Financial Times Editorial Career
Joins the Financial Times editorial staff and begins a professional journalism career focused increasingly on economics and financial affairs.
First Calder Hall Reactor Enters Service
Calder Hall's first reactor begins producing electricity during 1956, ahead of the ceremonial station opening.
Frontiers of Astronomy
Hoyle published Frontiers of Astronomy for readers interested in current astronomical research.
Geodesic Deviation
Pirani explains how spacetime curvature can produce measurable relative motion between freely falling particles, providing a practical physical interpretation of a passing gravitational wave.
Giant
Appears opposite Rock Hudson and James Dean in George Stevens epic Giant
Gnomes of Zurich
First uses the term, "Gnomes of Zurich"
Halothane Enters Clinical Practice
John Raventos and other investigators helped develop halothane as a widely used inhalational anaesthetic.
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.