Radio Moscow Predicts Invasion
A Radio Moscow broadcast predicts an imminent CIA-supported invasion of Cuba.
Role range: 1960-1962 – 1961-1963
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
John Fitzgerald Kennedy Biography and Timeline — Page 2
Follow John Fitzgerald Kennedy through 249 dated historical records for United States of America.
John Fitzgerald Kennedy, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
249Distinct records
2 of 7Page
1961–1961Years on this page
1961
Radio Moscow Warning Received
Kennedy advisers note a Soviet broadcast predicting an imminent invasion of Cuba.
Role range: 1960-1962 – 1961-1963
Invasion of Cuba
At about 06:00 Cuban time, eight Douglas B-26B Invader bombers attacked three Cuban airfields in three groups.
Role range: 1960-1965 – 1960-1963
Invasion of Cuba
They struck San Antonio de los Banos, Ciudad Libertad near Havana, and Antonio Maceo International Airport at Santiago de Cuba.
Role range: 1960-1965 – 1960-1963
Operation Puma Air Plan
Operation Puma calls for sustained strikes against Cuban aircraft and airfields.
Role range: 1960-1962 – 1961-1963
Operation Puma Air Strikes
Exile B-26 aircraft attack three Cuban airfields before the main landing.
Role range: 1960-1962 – 1961-1963
Three Cuban Airfields Targeted
Kennedy is informed that strikes hit airfields near Havana and Santiago de Cuba.
Role range: 1960-1962 – 1961-1963
Cancellation of Second Air Strike
Cancels or limits further overt air strikes before the landing phase of the operation
Role range: 1960-1962 – 1961-1963
Invasion of Cuba
Bomber aircraft displaying Cuban Fuerza Aerea Revolucionaria markings bomb the Cuban airfields of San Antonio de Los Bacos, Antonio Maceo International Airport, and the airfield at Ciudad Libertad
Role range: 1960-1965 – 1960-1963
Invasion of Cuba
Kennedy decides against giving the faltering invasion US air support (though four US pilots were killed in Cuba during the invasion) because of his opposition to overt intervention.
Role range: 1960-1965 – 1960-1963
Invasion of Cuba
Operation Puma, the code name given to the offensive counter air attacks against the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces, called for 48 hours of air strikes.
Role range: 1960-1965 – 1960-1963
Overt Military Support Withheld
Kennedy permits the exile operation but refuses deployment of conventional United States forces.
Role range: 1960-1962 – 1961-1963
One-Hour Navy Air Cover Authorised
Kennedy authorises a limited one-hour Navy fighter cover mission for the brigade's final B-26 operation.
Role range: 1960-1962 – 1961-1963
Reply to Khrushchev on Cuba
Kennedy tells Khrushchev that the United States intends no military intervention while defending the aspirations of anti-Castro Cubans.
Role range: 1960-1962 – 1961-1963
Response to Khrushchev
Kennedy denies intended United States military intervention while defending Cuban exiles.
Role range: 1960-1962 – 1961-1963
Limited Air Umbrella Approved
Kennedy authorises limited fighter protection for the final exile B-26 mission.
Role range: 1960-1962 – 1961-1963
Invasion of Cuba
The invasion force of Cuban exiles has been killed or captured by Castro
Role range: 1960-1965 – 1960-1963
Public Responsibility Accepted
Kennedy states that responsibility for the operation rests with the President.
Role range: 1960-1962 – 1961-1963
Cuba Study Group
President Kennedy asked General Maxwell D. Taylor, Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, Admiral Arleigh Burke and CIA Director Allen Dulles to form the Cuba Study Group, to report on lessons to learn from the failed operation
Role range: 1960-1965 – 1960-1963
Invasion of Cuba
President Kennedy asked General Maxwell D. Taylor, Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, Admiral Arleigh Burke and CIA Director Allen Dulles to form the Cuba Study Group, to report on lessons to learn from the failed operation
Role range: 1960-1965 – 1960-1963
Invasion of Laos
Kennedy suggests reconnaissance spying flights using Laotian markings
Role range: 1960-1975 – 1960-1963
Area Redevelopment Act
The Act provides loans and assistance to regions experiencing persistent unemployment.
Role range: 1961-1963
Moon Goal
Commits the United States to landing a man on the Moon.
Role range: 1961-1963
Siege of Berlin
Khruschev threatens to settle with East Germany if a peace Treaty is not agreed
Role range: 1961-1965 – 1961-1963
Coup
The Kennedy administration continues covert operations against Cuba, later launching the Cuban Project to "help Cuba overthrow the Communist regime"
Role range: 1960-1965 – 1960-1963
Cuban Project
The Kennedy administration continues covert operations against Cuba, later launching the Cuban Project to "help Cuba overthrow the Communist regime"
Role range: 1960-1965 – 1960-1963
Kennedy administration continues covert operations against Cuba, later launching
The Kennedy administration continues covert operations against Cuba, later launching the Cuban Project to "help Cuba overthrow the Communist regime". Elizabeth II entertains President Kennedy
Role range: 1960-1965 – 1960-1963
Cold War
Kennedy attends a summit with Premier Khrushchev in Vienna to discuss cold war confrontations between the east & west, in particular the situation in Berlin
Role range: 1961-1965 – 1961-1963
Conference of Vienna
The failure of the two leaders to resolve any of their differences during the summit led Khrushchev to view Kennedy as a weak president. Kennedy attends a summit with Premier Khrushchev in Vienna to discuss cold war confrontations between the east & west, in particular the situation in Berlin
Role range: 1961-1965 – 1961-1963
Conference of Vienna
Russia & the USA agree to enforce a truce within their areas of influence. Kennedy & Khrushchev meet to avoid direct confrontation between USA & Russia
Role range: 1960-1975 – 1960-1963
North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO)
Calls for an extra $3.25 billion in defense spending & an increase in US & NATO forces
Role range: 1961-1965 – 1961-1963
Siege of Berlin
Announces on TV Berlin had become "the great testing place of Western courage & will"
Role range: 1961-1965 – 1961-1963
North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO)
Calls for an extra $3.25 billion in defense spending & an increase in US & NATO forces
Role range: 1961-1963
Post-Invasion Trade Restrictions Considered
Kennedy receives authority to impose broader trade restrictions against Cuba.
Role range: 1960-1962 – 1961-1963
Peace Corps
Signs a law making the Peace Corps permanent
Role range: 1961-1965 – 1961-1963
Peace
Signs a law making the Peace Corps permanent
Role range: 1961-1965 – 1961-1963
Arms Control and Disarmament Agency Established
Signs legislation creating the United States Arms Control and Disarmament Agency.
Role range: 1961-1963
Siege of Berlin
Increases the US garrison in Berlin by 1,500
Role range: 1961-1965 – 1961-1963
Aid to Vietnam
Kennedy authorizes fighter bomber trainers to the Bien Hoa Air Base
Role range: 1960-1975 – 1960-1963
Aid to Vietnam
Kennedy sends General Taylor & advisers to discuss troop support for Diem
Role range: 1960-1975 – 1960-1963
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.