July 17, 1941: Joe DiMaggio's streak ended at 56

It started on May 15 and ended on July 17, or 56 consecutive games:    

“In his first three at-bats, DiMaggio grounded out to third twice against Smith, both on hard-hit balls, and then walked. 
With Bagby pitching in the eighth inning, DiMaggio hit into a double play, ending a Yankee rally and the greatest hitting streak in major league history. 
DiMaggio confided to a teammate after the game that by failing to get a hit he had also lost the $10,000 promised to him by Heinz ketchup for matching the number “57” featured on their labels.
DiMaggio won the 1941 American League MVP over Red Sox slugger Ted Williams in spite of the latter’s .406 batting average that season, the last time any major league player hit over .400. 
DiMaggio retired after the 1951 season after 13 seasons with the Yankees that included 11 pennants and 10 World Series wins. 
He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1955.”

During the streak, DiMaggio hit .408  (91 for 223), with 15 HR  & 55 RBI.