Soviet Visa Issued
The Soviet consulate issued Oswald a visa on October 14, 1959, permitting a single visit of no more than six days.
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Lee Harvey Oswald Biography and Timeline — Page 3
Follow Lee Harvey Oswald through 351 dated historical records for United States of America.
Lee Harvey Oswald, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
351Distinct records
3 of 9Page
1959–1962Years on this page
1959
Vainikkala Border Crossing
Lee traveled by train from Helsinki and crossed the Finnish-Soviet border at Vainikkala on October 15.
Moscow Arrival
Oswald arrived in Moscow on October 16, 1959, and registered at the Hotel Berlin as a student.
Rima Shirokova Intourist Assignment
Intourist assigned Rima Shirokova as Lee's Moscow guide shortly after his arrival, and she assisted him with Soviet authorities.
Supreme Soviet Citizenship Letter
With assistance from his Intourist guide, Lee mailed a letter to the Supreme Soviet requesting Soviet citizenship.
Botkinskaya Psychiatric Ward
Following his wrist injury, Lee spent three days in Botkinskaya Hospital's psychiatric ward before doctors transferred him to another department.
Moscow Self Harm Incident
After being told to leave Moscow, Oswald cut his left wrist and was taken unconscious to Botkinskaya Hospital.
Soviet Visa Expiration Order
On October 21, 1959, Soviet officials informed Oswald that his visa had expired and ordered him to leave Moscow within two hours.
Metropole Hotel Registration
After leaving the hospital, Lee checked out of the Hotel Berlin and registered at Moscow's Metropole Hotel.
Embassy Citizenship Renunciation Attempt
Lee appeared at the American Embassy and declared that he wanted to renounce his United States citizenship.
Soviet Citizenship Request
Soon after reaching Moscow, Oswald told his Intourist guide that he wanted to leave the United States and become a Soviet citizen.
Citizenship Revocation Letter
Lee wrote the American Embassy requesting revocation of his citizenship after consular officials had delayed his attempted renunciation.
Aline Mosby Interview
United Press International reporter Aline Mosby interviewed Lee for about two hours regarding his decision to remain in the Soviet Union.
Priscilla Johnson Interview
Journalist Priscilla Johnson interviewed Lee at the Metropole Hotel for roughly five hours about his politics, defection, and Soviet citizenship hopes.
1960
Stateless Identity Document
Soviet authorities issued Oswald an identity document for stateless persons on January 4, 1960, and assigned him to live in Minsk.
Soviet Red Cross Grant
A Soviet agency described as the Red Cross gave Lee 5,000 rubles before his relocation from Moscow to Minsk.
Minsk Arrival
Oswald arrived in Minsk on January 7, 1960, where Soviet officials arranged accommodation and employment.
Belorussian Factory Employment
Oswald began work at the Belorussian Radio and Television Factory on January 13, 1960, as a metal worker.
Minsk Hunting License
Lee obtained a Soviet hunting license on June 18, 1960, while living and working in Minsk.
Sixteen Gauge Shotgun Purchase
Soon after receiving his hunting license, Lee purchased a single-barrel sixteen-gauge shotgun in Minsk.
Marine Reserve Undesirable Discharge
The Marine Corps Reserve changed Lee's discharge status to undesirable on September 13, 1960, while he was living in the Soviet Union.
1961
Ella German Marriage Proposal
After spending New Year's Day with Ella German's family, Lee proposed marriage to her the following evening and was rejected.
Soviet Citizenship Reconsideration
On January 4, 1961, Oswald told Soviet officials that he no longer wanted Soviet citizenship and requested only an extension of his residence permit.
Request to Recover Passport
In February 1961, Oswald asked the American Embassy to return his passport and said that he wanted to return to the United States.
Meeting Marina Prusakova
Oswald met Marina Prusakova at a trade-union dance in Minsk around March 17, 1961, and began seeing her soon afterward.
Marriage to Marina Prusakova
Oswald married Marina Prusakova in Minsk on April 30, 1961, after completing the required civil registration procedures.
Lumumba University Application Rejected
Patrice Lumumba Friendship University rejected Lee's application because the institution was reserved for students from developing regions.
Return to America Embassy Letter
The American Embassy received Lee's letter announcing his marriage and asking about possible prosecution if he returned to the United States.
Unannounced Moscow Embassy Visit
Lee appeared unexpectedly at the closed American Embassy on July 8 and contacted consul Richard Snyder by telephone.
American Passport Restored
After an embassy interview in July 1961, officials concluded that Oswald had not expatriated himself and returned his American passport.
Soviet Exit Visa Paperwork
Lee and Marina submitted the numerous certificates, photographs, and forms required for Soviet permission to leave the country.
Soviet Exit Visa Approval
On December 25, 1961, Marina was informed that Soviet exit visas would be granted to her and Oswald.
Senator John Tower Assistance Letter
Lee wrote Senator John Tower seeking help because Soviet authorities had not yet allowed him and Marina to leave.
1962
International Rescue Committee Request
Lee asked the International Rescue Committee for $800 to finance travel from Moscow to Texas for himself and Marina.
John Connally Discharge Appeal Letter
Lee wrote John Connally asking for help overturning his Marine discharge, mistakenly believing Connally remained Secretary of the Navy.
Birth of June Lee Oswald
Lee became a father when Marina gave birth to their daughter June Lee in Minsk on February 15, 1962.
Marina Visa Approval Notice
Lee received notice that immigration authorities had approved Marina's application for a United States visa.
Belorussian Factory Departure
At his request, Lee left his job at the Belorussian Radio and Television Factory as the family's departure plans neared completion.
Soviet Exit Visa Collected
Lee collected his Soviet exit visa on May 22 and prepared to travel with Marina and June to Moscow.
Moscow Final Emigration Papers
Lee and Marina completed documents at the American Embassy in Moscow, where Marina received her United States visa.
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.