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Fidel Castro gains power
Fidel Castro leads a revolution that sset up a socialist state in Cuba -
Cuba becomes communist
Cuba openly aligns itself with the Soviet Union and their policies -
US ends relations with Cuba
The US ends all its diplomatic and consuler relations with Cuba -
'Hot line' established
The "hot-line" begins operation - a system for direct communication between the US and the Soviet leaders during a crisis. -
Soviet missile bases in Cuba discovered
JFK learns the Soviets were secretly building missile bases in Cuba after a U-2 flying over western Cuba shot photographs of missile sites -
Naval Blockade of Cuba
JFK calls an emergency meeting with a group called ExComm (Executive Comittee) - a group of military and political advisers - decide on a naval blockade of Cuba until Soviet missiles are removed. JFK also warns that the U.S. would retaliate if a Soviet missile is launched from Cuba. -
JFK and the Soviets come to an agreement
Soviets continue construction on the missile bases. JFK considers an invasion of Cuba, but the Soviets offer to dismantle the sites if the blockade is lifted. -
US pilot killed
A U2 plane is shot down over Cuba, and a US pilot is killed. That night, Kennedy offers to end the blockade and to not invade Cuba if the Soviets remove the missile bases. -
Soviet exits Cuba
Russian bombers leave Cuba and the US ends the naval blockade -
US-Cuba exchange
The US sends Cuba medicine and food in exchange for the Americans captured in the Bay of Pigs invasion.
