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Fidel Castro Ruz Born
Fidel Castro Ruz was born in eastern Cuban Hamlet of Biran, son of well-off Spanish- born landowner. -
Castro Leads Armed Uprising
Castro leads armed uprising against military dictator Fulgencio Batista, captured in failed attack on Moncada Barracks in Santiago de Cuba. -
Castro's Trial
Castro, who stated “History will absolve me” at his trial, is given amnesty and leaves prison for Mexico. -
Castro's Revolution
Castro and 81 other would-be revolutionaries land in Cuba on the yacht “Granma.”. Most are routed, but 12 survivors — including Castro, his brother Raul Castro and Argentine Ernesto “Che” Guevara — regroup in Sierra Maestra mountains where they launch a guerrilla war. -
Castro Enters Havana
Castro enters Havana after triumphal journey across Cuba. As supreme “Comandante” of the armed forces, he begins the political, economic and social transformation of Cuba, launching agrarian reform and nationalizing most foreign and local businesses. -
Castro Gets a New Job
Castro named prime minister. -
U.S. breaks ties
U.S. breaks diplomatic ties with Havana. -
Castro Declares
Castro declares his revolution socialist. -
Castro Directs Troops
Castro directs troops in defeat of invasion attempt by U.S.-backed Cuban exiles at Bay of Pigs. -
Missile Crisis
Missile Crisis. Presence of Soviet warheads in Cuba provokes standoff between Moscow and Washington. Many fear nuclear war, but Soviet Union decides to withdraw missiles after President John F. Kennedy imposes naval blockade. -
Castro Founds New Party
Castro founds new Cuban Communist Party and is named First Secretary. -
Castro Sends Troops to Angola
Castro sends troops to Angola to help left-wing government fight South-African backed rebels. -
Castro Becomes President
Castro becomes president, ratified by newly-created National Assembly. -
Castro Visits
Castro visits Chile, Panama and Nicaragua to support left-wing governments there. -
Cubans to United States
Mariel boat-lift. Cuba allows exodus of 125,000 Cubans to United States, mostly via Mariel port. -
Soviet Union Collapse
Soviet Union’s collapse plunges Cuba into economic crisis. -
Castro Government Ends Ban
Castro government ends ban on use of U.S. dollars, one of a series of limited economic openings that government says are aimed at saving revolution. -
Castro Faints
Two hours into speech at public rally, Castro suffers brief fainting fit due to exhaustion and sun. -
Castro Leads March
Castro leads march by one million Cubans along Havana waterfront in campaign to defend socialist system in face of growing dissent and U.S. pressures. -
Castro Falls After Speech
Castro smashes left knee in fall after speech on steps of Che Guevara mausoleum in Santa Clara. -
Castro Hands Over Power
Castro forced to hand over the reins of power to his brother Raul after undergoing emergency surgery to stop intestinal bleeding caused by undisclosed illness. -
Castro Takes Up Writing
Castro takes to writing prolific flow of articles on world issues, mainly attacks on the U.S. government. -
Castro will not return as head of state
Almost 19 months since he last appeared in public, Castro said he would not return as head of state and government. -
Castro Dies
Castro dies in Havana, Cuba