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Fidel Castro is born
Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz is born on August 13,1926. His parents are Angel Castro and Lina Ruz. His father owned a sugarcane farm with illegal immigrants working on the farm. His mother was a maid and didn't need to make a lot of money because her husband was so rich. This is significant because Fidel Castro would end up overthrowing the Cuban government and becoming the dictator for almost 50 years. (Cox 31) -
The US goes into the Great Depression
In October 1929 the United States stock market crashed and they went into a depression. Many people lost their jobs and didn't have money to pay for a house. It lasted until 1939 when the stock market got better. This is significant because it was the worst economic crash in history. -
Pablo Picasso released Guernica
In June of 1937 Pablo Picasso of Spain released Guernica. It shows the tragedies of the Nazis bombing the Spanish city of Guernica. This painting is significant because it got the worlds attention in the Spanish Civil War. It also started the cubist movement which led the way to modern art. (“Pablo Picasso and His Paintings.” Pablo Picasso: 150 Famous Paintings, Biography & Quotes by Picasso, 2009) -
Graduates University of Havana
In September 1950 Castro graduated law school in the University of Havana. This is significant because it was in law school where his ideals of communism were formed. In school he joined the socialist political party called, the Party of the Cuban People. He joined student demonstrations against corruption and gang violence inside Cuba. He also gave speeches to others telling them how to help and revolt against the government. (Goldstein 63) -
Castro runs for parliament but Batista overthrows government
On March 10, 1952 Fulgencio Batista takes his army and tells the current president Carlos Prio to suspend all elections. This is important because he opposed Batista's regime. Castro would start planning an attack on Batista going through the mountains and giving speeches gaining support. (Fidel Castro Fast Facts.” CNN, Cable News Network, 3 May 2018,) -
Castro is forming an army to overthrow Batista
Between May 15, 1955 and December 2, 1956 Castro is going through the mountains convincing people to go against Batista. Castro gives speeches telling people how he could improve life for the Cuban people and how Batista is doing wrong. It is important because it shows how far Castro is willing to go to get what he wants. It also determines Cubas future for the next 50 years. (Fidel Castro Fast Facts.” CNN, Cable News Network, 3 May 2018,) -
Castro takes over as prime minister
On February 16, 1959 Fidel Castro takes over as prime minister. He got the opportunity after prime minister Miro resigned. It is significant because he became the first secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba. Castro also led the transformation of Cuba into a one party socialist republic. (Cox 69) -
Us attempts to overthrow Cuba (Bay of Pigs)
On April 17, 1961, 1300 Cuban exiles that had been living in the US attacked Castro's government. They were armed with US weapons and were unsuccessful in their attempt. This is significant because The US doesn't want to give weapons to Cuba if they are used to hurt the country. This sets a trade ban between the US and Cuba for weapons. (Fidel Castro Fast Facts.” CNN, Cable News Network, 3 May 2018,) -
Castro meets with a Soviet diplomat
In May of 1962 Maxim Litvinov, a Soviet diplomat is sent to Havana to establish a diplomatic relationship with Cuba. This is significant because it is the start of the Cuban Missile Crisis. It also puts Cuba in the middle of the Cold War on Russia's side. Lastly it shows that Cuba is now a socialist republic country. (Goldstein 14) -
Cuban Missile Crisis
On October 16, 1962 the Soviet Union sends nuclear missiles to a port in Cuba. The US puts a naval blockade before Soviet ships can reach Cuba. It is significant because it starts the tension between Cuba and the US. The US puts a permanent ban on offensive weapons to be sent to Cuba. They also say that all Soviet weapons should be returned to Russia as soon as possible. (“Cuban Missle Crisis.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 4 Jan. 2010) -
First Man on the Moon
On July 16, 1969 Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin flew Apollo 11 to the moon in four days. They reached the moon on July 20, 1969. While on the moon they left an American flag and a sign. This is significant because no man had ever reached the surface of the moon before. (Dunbar, Brian. “The First Person on the Moon.” NASA) -
World Wide Web is invented
In October of 1990 a guy named Sir Tim Berners-Lee of England invented the world wide web. He wrote three parts of technology seen in today's web browsers. HTML, URI, and HTTP. He also wrote the first page on the web. This is significant because the web impacts our lives everyday. Most kids under 15 can't imagine living in a world without the web. (“World Wide Web Foundation.” World Wide Web Foundation) -
Terrorist attacks on the world trade center
On September 11, 2001 two hijackers got on a flight to Los Angeles and took everyone on board captive during the flight. The attackers flew the plane into the world trade center in New York city. Over 2,700 people were killed. This is significant because all airport security in the US is much higher and more controlling. The number of people killed makes it significant because many people risked their own lives to save others. (“9/11 Attacks.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 17 Feb. 2010) -
Japan gets hit with a tsunami
On March 11, 2011 Honshu is hit by a tsunami. There was a 9.0 earthquake 80 miles off the coast of the pacific ocean near Japan. This is significant because over 19,000 people were killed and it was one of Japan's deadliest tsunami's in all of their history. There was also a nuclear emergency when one of Japan's power stations was hit. (Pletcher, Kenneth, and John P. Rafferty. “Japan Earthquake and Tsunami of 2011.” Encyclopedia Britannica) -
Resigns as head of Communist Party
On March 22, 2011 Castro becomes ill and resigns as head of communist party in Cuba. This is significant because Castro had had one of the longest runs in the world for the leader of a country. It also caused chaos in Cuba because the people feared that the country would change after Castro left. His brother Raul Castro is now the president of Cuba. (Mckinley, James C. “Fidel Castro Resigns as Cuba's President.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 20 Feb. 2008) -
Fidel Castro dies
On November 25, 2016 Fidel Castro died of natural causes. He was 90 years old. His death was announced on public TV and radio. The next week was a mourning ceremony dedicated to Fidel Castro. This is significant because his brother Raul Castro is now in power. Also Cuba was under Castro's control for so long that the people didn't like change in their government. (Goldstein 109)
