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Birth
Fidel Castro was born on August 13, 1926 -
Leads an Armed Uprising
Castro leads armed uprising against military dictator Fulgencio Batista, captured in failed attack on Moncada Barracks in Santiago de Cuba -
Leaves Prison for Mexico
Castro, who stated “History will absolve me” at his trial, is given amnesty and leaves prison for Mexico -
Land in Cuba
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 -
Batista flees to Dominican Republic.
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Castro named prime minister
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Castro declares his revolution socialist.
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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 Cuban Communist Party and is named First Secretary.
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Castro Becomes President
Ratified by newly-created National Assembly. -
Castro Bans US Dollars
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. -
Riots and Uprising
More than 35,000 people leave Cuba in flimsy rafts and boats during summer crisis, prompting a migration agreement with the United States to allow a minimum of 20,000 legal entry visas to Cubans annually. -
Castro launches crackdown on dissidents
75 pro-democracy activists and independent journalists jailed, prompting international criticism. -
Makes Public Statements
Castro takes to writing prolific flow of articles on world issues, mainly attacks on the U.S. government.Castro hints he will not cling to power or block rise of younger leaders in message read on television. -
Not Returning to Office
Almost 19 months since he last appeared in public, Castro said he would not return as head of state and government. -
Death