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Castro Rules Out Elections in Cuba
Cuba's prime minister Dr. Fidel Castro, has proclaimed Cuba a socialist nation and abolished elections. "The revolution has no time for elections. There is no democratic government in Latin America than the revoluntionary government," says Castro in the May Day parade. Lucia and Frankie saw revolutionary soldiers at the beach. -
Non-Cuban Priests to Be Expelled, Says Castro
Before Castro came into power, Cuba's Catholic Church had more than 700 priests and members of religious orders. He drove out 598 priests and forced them to leave the country. Lucia and Frankie were forced to stay at home for their safety. Frankie sneaked out and Lucia had to follow him to watch him. They witnessed a man getting shot by a soldier of the revoluntionary when they peered through a hole on the fence. -
Castro Holds Life Cheap
To maintain his power, Castro executed rebels that protested against the Communist Revolution. Speaking out against the revolution is forbidden and could cost protesters their life. As Lucia passed by the park after she left the pharmacy, she saw Doc Machado hung from an oak tree. She gasped in horror and ran back to her house. -
Thousands Remain In Cuban Prisons
Many people were accused of hiding away their riches and keeping them away from the government. Some were caught and thrown into prison by Castro's soldiers. It was his way of showing the people that he was in power. Lucia returns home from the dance and saw soldiers in her house taking away their valuables that her parents had hid under the floor. Lucia blames her best friend, Ivette, for betraying her and her family. -
Cuba Radio Broadcasts Appeal for More Spies
The radio annouced tto give all your riches to the communist government, warning the people that serious consequences will happen if you rebel against the government. Because Lucia's family were caught hiding away their jewelry, Lucia's father lost his job at the bank. -
Cuban Refugees Set For Long Exile--Flights Booked Solid
Many families were forced tto send their children out of cuba in order to keep them from joining the brigades and getting involved with the revolution. the movement is know as The Pedro Pan Operation. Lucia and Frankie were sent to Miami because their parents refused to let them join the brigades. They were told to ask for a man named George. -
School Law Approved; Cuba Takes Over School Facilities
Normal schools were shut down and after they are opened again, schools are mainly controlled by the government. Schools were required to teach the students about politics and the good things that Castro does for Cuba. Lucia and Frankie are currently at a camp named Kendall. They were separated from each other. Lucia and Frankie leave the camp, to go to their new family in Nebraska. -
Castro Set to Swap Man For Machine
Instead of having an excessive amount of soldiers to control the people, Castro had started using weapons to threaten the people of Cuba and stay in control. Lucia and Frankie sarting with their new family, realizing that it is very different from Cuba, especially the type of food that they eat. Lucia misses Cuba dearly and wonders how her parents are doing back home. -
Tractors-For-Freedom Team Going To Havana
President Kennedy attempted to stop communism in Cuba. A group of private citizens formed a committee known as Tractors-for-Freedom tried to raise money to paid for the heavy construction equipment. It had only been a few days of being with the Baxters. Lucia and Frankie was doing farmwork in Nebraska. -
Cuba Is Pressing Toward Red Goal
Regime directs drive to set up communist state. Communism is almost completely spread throug Cuba under Castro's power. Lucia read newspaper articles in the US to keep up with the news in Cuba. She is shocked to find out that newspapers directly criticized President Kennedy. It was a sharp contrast to Cuba where anyone who spoke out against the government is considered a traitor. -
Cuba Exiles Adjust to New Lives
People that were exiled from Cuba adjust to new lives in other countries. It was a "blessing in disguise" now that they do not have to live under communist rule. Lucia started school in the US and was bullied by a girl named Betty, Fortunately, there was a girl named Jennifer to back her up and they became friends. -
Cuba Calls Priests Traitors, Murderers
In one of Castro's speeches to the people, he called priests of the church "traitors" and "murders". He wanted the religious Catholic people to be more political. Lucia is tring to keep up in school. She explained to Mrs. Baxter the importance of getting good grades. -
Firing Squads Have Only Started, Declares Castro
Thousands of Cubans have died in front of Castro's infamous firing squad.There were no discrimination and the young and old, black and white, rich and poor were sent to 'el paredon' Lucia develops a crush on a boy named Eddie. Her friends playfully tease her about it and Lucia denies the crush that she has. -
Cuba's Youth Recieved Hurried Red Traning; Mystery Man Heads "Art" Schools Which Teach Marx-Lenin Theory, Hatred Of U.S.
Because of Castro's support of Marx-Lenin Theory (the belief that the imperialism is the highest form of capitalism; which shifts the struggle from developed to undeveloped.) the students in Cuba were forced to believe the same. its lucia's 15th Birthday and she recieves a gold necklace from Mrs. Baxter. But she can't help but miss her parents that are still in Cuba. -
Castro Again Tells About Keeping Red Views Sercrets
Castro keeps secrets about Cuba's real identity. Lucia and Frankie are preparing for Christmas and they learn about Santa Claus. -
Castro Pledges Fight to Death
Fidel Castro vowed that his followers will "fight to death" to overthrow President Fulgencio Batista's regime. The six-day revolted resulted in a report of 100 people dead. Frankie and Lucia opened their presents on Christmas Day. Frankie received a baseball glove and Lucia got make-up products among with other things. -
Castro Perils Peace---U.S.
Castro refuse to coperate, disturbs the peace with U.S. Lucia found out that her father had an accident falling off a ladder back in Cuba and broke a few ribs. -
Castro Denounces U.S., Roars Defience Of OAS
OAS- a organiztion fromed by Latin America and the U.S. to promote human rights.
in the 1960s two thirds of the Latin American nations had followed the U.S. and supported sanctions against Fidel Castro's Cuba because the Cuban Revolution was interving with the neighboring nations affairs. Lucia talks to Jennifer on the phone but she not really on the mood because she just had read a letter that cuba is longer the place it was once and a dark sadness sepped into her heart. -
Castro Urges More Intense Communist Spirit for Cubans
Because some Cubans are not supporters of communism, Castro wanted to enforce more communist spirit among the people. Kids were sent to camps and they are expected to obey the government for the sake of their "communist spirit". Lucia received a letter from Ivette lecturing her about selling herself to American society. Lucia calls it "propaganda speak". -
Cuba Slips Away from Exile's Dreams
As time goes on, people that were exiled from Cuba stopped wanting to go back and are slowly letting go of their past life. They adapt to the new country. Lucia's parents were able to leave Cuba and come to America. The family reunited and they shared an emotional moment. Lucia's father was seen holding the red umbrella.
