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Castro is Born
Fidel Castro was born on August 13th, 1926 in the Oriente province of eastern Cuba. His father, Ángel, was a wealthy sugar plantation owner originally from Spain who did most of his business with the American-owned United Fruit Company, which dominated the agriculture in that region at the time. His mother, Lina Ruz González, had been a maid to Ángel's first wife, Maria Luisa Argota, at the time of Fidel's birth. -
Castro Tries to Take Over Cuba
On July 26, 1953 Castro led a group of armed uprising against the Moncada Military Barracks to try and overthrow the president of Cuba at the time Fulgenico Batista. He would lose and serve a prison sentence from 1953-1955. -
Elvis Rises to the Top
The "King Of Rock", Elvis Presley, historical and influential music career rises to the top on September 9,1956 when appearing on the Ed Sullivan Show. -
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Castro Overthrows Batista
On December 2, 1956 Castro and 81 men land in Cuba on the Yacht "Granma". Most are killed but there are 12 survivors, including Castro, his brother Raul Castro and Argentine Ernesto “Che” Guevara. They regrouped in Sierra Maestra mountains where they launch a guerrilla war. This war would last until January 1, 1959 where Batista fled to the Dominican Republic. On Feb 13, 1959 Castro is named prime minister while Manuel Urrutia becomes President. -
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U.S. and Cuba
On January 3, 1961 the U.S. breaks diplomatic ties with capital of Cuba Havana. On February 7, 1962 the United States imposes full economic embargo. This is important because the U.S breaking these ties caused major bad blood between the U.S and Cuba. -
Marilyn Monroe Dies
On August 5, 1962, iconic sex symbol Marilyn Monroe, was found dead in her home in August. Her cause of death was a drug overdose. One of the most famous actors of the 50s and all time was dead. -
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Cuban Missile Crisis
The Cuban Missile Crisis was a 13 day standoff between the U.S. and the Soviet Union over the nuclear-armed Soviet missiles on Cuba, just 90 miles from U.S. shores. Disaster was avoided when the U.S. agreed to Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev’s offer to remove the Cuban missiles in exchange for the U.S. promising not to invade Cuba. -
JFK Assassination
On November 22, 1963, In Dallas, Texas on of the worst tragedy's of the U.S. happened. The U.S president John F. Kennedy was shot in the neck then in the head. He was killed and Lee Harvey Oswald was the culprit. -
Castro Builds a New Government
In October of 1965, Castro founded a new Cuban Communist Party and was named first secretary. He changed the government and would eventually take over. -
Super Bowl I
On January 15, 1967 the first Super Bowl was ever played between the AFL's Kansas City Chiefs and the NFL's Green Bay Packers. This marked a historical sports event which still is one of the biggest events of the year. -
Castro becomes President
In 1976 Castro becomes President of Cuba and created a new National Assembly. This started one of the most notorious reigns of Cuba. -
Live Aid
On July 13th, 1985 ,Live Aid took place. It was a concert organized by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise funds for relief of the ongoing Ethiopian famine. The show was arguably stolen by the British rock band Queen . With Freddie Mercury's electric and iconic voice it is also one of the most praised rock performances of all time. -
Economy Crashes
In 1991, the collapse of the Soviet Union made the economy of Cuba plunge and it was not good for Cuba. -
9/11
Arguably, the most tragic event of the U.S., the 9/11 terrorist attacks. on September 11th, 2001, two planes flew into the World Trade Center, changing America forever -
Castro Leaves Cuba's Office
On February 19th, 2008, Fidel Castro announced he would not return as head of state in the government. This would end one of the most controversial leader's reign. -
Fidel Castro Dies
On November 25th, 2016, Fidel Castro died at the age of 90 in Havana, Cuba. One of Cuba's most recognizable leaders, had died.
