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Fidel Castro Ruz born in eastern Cuban hamlet of Biran, son of a well-off Spanish-born landowner.
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Castro leads armed uprising against military dictator Fulgencio Batista, captured in failed attack on Moncada Barracks in Santiago de Cuba.
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Fidel Castro is named prime minister.
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Fidel Castro declares his revolution socialist.
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Fidel Castro's 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.
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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.
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Almost 19 months since he last appeared in public, Castro said he would not return as head of state and government.