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Birth
Fidel Castro was born on August 13, 1926 in Cuba's eastern Oriente province to parents Angel Castro and Lina Ruz. His father, Angel, was a successful sugar plantation owner. His mother, Lina, was a maid for Angel and his former wife, Angel had an affair with Lina. This event is significant because he would later become the leader of Cuba. He would make many changes to the cuban government ("Fidel Castro" 2). -
Graduation
In 1950, Castro graduated from the University of Havana with a law degree. This event is significant because it marked when Fidel was truly able to make his own decisions in regards to his profession. The school played a very important role in his ideas of government. At the university of Havana he became involved in the social-democratic Ortodoxo party which helped him to develop his own ideas of government (Axelrod and Phillips 47-48). -
Nobel Prize for Literature
Winston S. Churchill takes home the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1953. Other than being a writer, he was also a politician and soldier. He specialized in non-fiction books. This event is significant because it is one of the most important awards an author can receive. Only the greatest writers win the Nobel Prize for Literature (Grun). -
Attack on Batista
On July 26,1953 Castro led an attack on Batista's dictatorship in Cuba, trying to overthrow it. The attack was suicidal so not many were expected to survive. This event is significant because it was one of the first actions he took to overthrow Cuba's government at the time. When caught, he was sentenced to 15 years in jail but was released early due to public amnesty ("Fidel Castro" 465-67). -
Second attack on Batista
In November, 1956 Castro and 81 others attacked Batista once again trying to overthrow his government. This event is significant because it is what led him to control Cuba in the next couple of years. Even though he had many failed attempts to take over Cuba he kept persevering and ultimately succeeded ("Fidel Castro" 365-67). -
Sworn in as Prime Minister
On February 16, 1959 Castro was sworn in as prime minister. This event is significant because it officially marked the start of Fidel Castro's leadership in Cuba. He would be the leader of Cuba for many years to come and change Cuba greatly ("Castro Sworn In"). -
Relationship with U.S.S.R.
In 1960, Fidel Castro establishes an alliance with the U.S.S.R. and Cuba. This event is important because it declares that Cuba agrees with many of the U.S.S.R.'s radical and communist government ideas and sets them apart from most of the world. This also angers the United States and causes them to cut off ties with Cuba (Axelrod and Phillips 47-48). -
Bay of Pigs
In April of 1961 the United States launched a failed plan to overthrow Castro. First, a group of Cuban exiles tried to strike against Cuban airfields, but Castro had already discovered this and moved his planes. Then, the exiles invaded Cuba's south shore but were immediately stopped by the Cuban army. This event is significant because it greatly increased the tensions between the U.S. and Cuba. It clearly showed that the CIA was trying to take down Castro and failed ("Castro Sworn In"). -
Cuban missile crisis
The Soviet Union stationed missiles in Cuba aimed for the United States in 1962. This event is significant because it almost sent the world into a nuclear war. The dispute ended when the Soviet Union agreed to remove nuclear weapons in Cuba on the condition that the United States also agrees to withdraw nuclear weapons in turkey and halt their attempts to overthrow Castro as leader of Cuba ("Fidel Castro" 1). -
Earthquake in Alaska
There was a major earthquake in Alaska in 1964. This event is significant because 114 people died and it caused $500 million in property damage. These losses were something Alaska had to work to get over for many years after (Grun). -
Expo '70
In 1970, Japan held a world fair in Osaka. Many pieces in the expo looked very futuristic and the themes were Progress and Harmony for Mankind. This event is significant because it was the first world exposition held in Asia. Expo '70 also showed off Japan's engineering architectural skills (Grun). -
Dispute between the Church of England and Roman Catholic Church
In 1971 the Church of England and the Roman Catholic Church end a 400 year fight. The fight was over the meaning of the word Eucharist. This event is significant because it restored peace between two powerful religious groups. The dispute ended when they both agreed on "the essential meaning"(Grun). -
Falling of the Bridge of Mostar
In 1993, the Bridge of Mostar was destroyed. It was destroyed in former Yugoslavia by a Croatian grenade. This event is significant because we lost a world heritage monument. The bridge was built in the 16th century (Grun). -
American Ballet Theater stages new productions
The American Ballet Theater staged two new productions in 1993. The productions were called "Requiem" and "Sleeping Beauty". This event is significant because these two productions would later become iconic. Kenneth Mac Milan, the choreographer of the production was esteemed by many (Grun). -
Resigning
In February of 2008 Fidel Castro announced that he would not be serving another term.It surprised the people greatly, even though they knew he was getting older. This event is significant because it marked the end of Castro's rule and that somebody else would be controlling Cuba from that time forward ("Castro Sworn In"). -
Death
On November 25, 2016 Fidel Castro died at 90 years old. In Cuba, there was a nine day mourning period. In other parts of the country, people celebrated the death of a man who separated their families and made them feel unsafe. This event is significant because he was in rule for approximately 49 years. His brother, Raul Castro, was already controlling Cuba by the time of his death ("Fidel Castro" 2).
