In the mid 1950s, the Suez Canal was one of the most strategically important waterways in the world. Britain no longer needed it to protect its ever dwindling empire, but it was a vital oil route with two thirds of Europe's oil passing through it by1955. You might not expect a sea collision ending in the deaths of 46 people to be described as a story with a happy ending, but there were another 1,660 crew and passengers who survived the sinking of the Andrea Doria. Thanks to a well orchestrated, speedy rescue operation which saved this maritime disaster of July, 1956, from being another Titanic. Even before famous resident and former President Bill Clinton put Little Rock, Arkansas, on the map, the American town hit the headlines for different political reasons. On September 23, 1957, nine African-American students were denied access to Central High School by an angry mob of over 1,000 white students and their supporters
Notes
Previously released on DVD
Title from resource description page (viewed Sept. 1, 2011)