Deaths on June 17

Bob Sweikert

Died on June 17, 1956

Bob Sweikert, American race car driver (b. 1926)

Robert Charles Sweikert (May 20, 1926 – June 17, 1956) was an American racing driver, best known as the winner of the 1955 Indianapolis 500 and the 1955 National Championship, as well as the 1955 Midwest Sprint car championship - the only driver in history to sweep all three in a single season.

Sweikert was born in Los Angeles, California. His "Indy 500" win was over-shadowed by the fatal crash of two-time winner Bill Vukovich during the race earlier that day. Sweikert finished sixth at Indianapolis the following May, but then died weeks later, at age 30, in 1956 after crashing a Sprint car at Salem Speedway.

References

Bob Sweikert

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Events on 1956

26 Jul

Suez Crisis
Following the World Bank's refusal to fund building the Aswan Dam, Egyptian leader Gamal Abdel Nasser nationalizes the Suez Canal, sparking international condemnation.
17 Oct

Bobby Fischer
Donald Byrne and Bobby Fischer play a famous chess game called The Game of the Century. Fischer beat Byrne and wins a Brilliancy prize.
23 Oct

Hungarian Revolution of 1956
Thousands of Hungarians protest against the government and Soviet occupation. (The Hungarian Revolution is crushed on November 4).
4 Nov

Hungarian Revolution of 1956
Soviet troops enter Hungary to end the Hungarian revolution against the Soviet Union, that started on October 23. Thousands are killed, more are wounded, and nearly a quarter million leave the country.
12 Nov

Sudan
Morocco, Sudan and Tunisia join the United Nations.

Deaths on June 17

Bob Sweikert

Died on June 17, 1956

References

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Events on 1956

Suez Crisis

Bobby Fischer

Hungarian Revolution of 1956

Hungarian Revolution of 1956

Sudan