Fidel Castro biography timeline

Birth of Fidel Castro

Castro joins the Partido Ortodoxos which had been newly formed by Eduardo Chibas

Castro graduates from law school with a Doctor of Laws degree and began practicing law in a small partnership in Havana

Challenges Batista's coup through legal and political opposition.

Fulgencio Batista leads a coup, successfully overthrowing the Government of President Carlos Prio Socarres

Takes part in the failed Moncada and Bayamo barracks attacks.

Castro leads the failed attack on the Moncada Barracks, after which he is captured, tried, incarcerated and later released

Is tried and sentenced after the failed Moncada attack.

Plans attacks on Moncada and Bayamo barracks.

Delivers his defence speech after the Moncada attack.

Delivers his History Will Absolve Me defence speech at trial.

Is imprisoned after the Moncada trial.

Is tried and sentenced after the failed Moncada attack.

Is released from prison under Batista's amnesty.

Castro is released due to a general amnesty from Batista

Once in Mexico, Castro reunites with other Cuban exiles & founds the 26th of July Movement, named after the date of the failed attack on the Moncada Barracks

Organises exile preparations for renewed armed struggle.

Joins the exile group reorganised in Mexico to renew the struggle.

The 26th of July Movement's name originated from the failed attack on the Moncada Barracks, an army facility in the city of Santiago de Cuba, on July 26, 1953

Receives guerrilla training in Mexico before the Granma expedition.

The Castro brothers join other exiles in Mexico to prepare a revolution to overthrow Batista

Sails from Mexico aboard Granma with the rebel expedition.

82 men from the 26th of July Movement land in Cuba, having sailed in the boat Granma from Tuxpan, Vera Cruz, ready to organize and lead a revolution

Of the 82 who sailed aboard the Granma, only 15 eventually regrouped in the Sierra Maestra mountain range. 82 men from the 26th of July Movement land in Cuba, having sailed in the boat Granma from Tuxpan, Vera Cruz, ready to organize and lead a revolution

Lands from the Granma with Castro's rebel expedition.

Lands from the Granma with Castro's rebel expedition.

Lands in eastern Cuba with the Granma expedition.

82 men from the 26th of July Movement land in Cuba, having sailed in the boat Granma from Tuxpan, Vera Cruz, ready to organize and lead a revolution

Of the 82 who sailed aboard the Granma, only 15 eventually regrouped in the Sierra Maestra mountain range. 82 men from the 26th of July Movement land in Cuba, having sailed in the boat Granma from Tuxpan, Vera Cruz, ready to organize and lead a revolution

Lands in Cuba at the head of a revolutionary group and begins a campaign against Batista

Organizes, trains and leads for the guerrilla invasion of Cuba

Regroups survivors in the Sierra Maestra.

Wins an early guerrilla victory against an army outpost.

Uses press coverage to strengthen rebel legitimacy.

The Revolutionary Directorate attacks Batista's palace and radio station.

Issues a political manifesto with opposition allies.

Of the 82 who sailed aboard the Granma, only 15 eventually regrouped in the Sierra Maestra mountain range

Of the 82 who sailed aboard the Granma, only 15 eventually regrouped in the Sierra Maestra mountain range

Armed irregulars known as escopeteros harass the Batista forces in the foothills and plains of Oriente Province

Armed irregulars known as escopeteros harass the Batista forces in the foothills and plains of Oriente Province

Armed irregulars known as escopeteros harass the Batista forces in the foothills and plains of Oriente Province

The Revolutionary Directorate attacks Batista's palace and radio station.

The Revolutionary Directorate attacks Batista's palace and radio station.

The Revolutionary Directorate attacks Batista's palace and radio station.

Calls for a general strike against Batista.

A complex plan created by Cuban General Cantillo to directly attack Castros mountain base in the Sierra Maestra.

During the Battle of La Plata, Castros forces defeat an entire battalion.

The Battle of La Plata os part of Operation Verano, the summer offensive of 1958 launched by the Batistia Government during the Cuban Revolution.

the battle ends with the humiliating surrender of the assault battalion and the loss of some 500 Cuban army soldiers.

During the Battle of Las Mercedes, Castros army comes close to defeat & manages to pull his troops out by opening up negotiations with General Cantillo

The attitude of Batista changes in the Spring of 1958 as Castro started to gain international recognition and he called for a General Strike

The offensive is designed to crush Fidel Castros revolutionary army, who had been growing in strength in the area of the Sierra Maestra hills since their arrival in Cuba onboard the Granma yacht in December 1956

When Operation Verano ends, Castro orders 3 columns commanded by Guevara, Jaime Vega and Camilo Cienfuegos to invade central Cuba

Castro's guerrilla forces scores a series of victories, largely aided by mass desertions from Batista's army of poorly trained & uncommitted young conscripts. Batista launches Operation Verano aiming to crush Castro and other anti-Government groups

The attitude of Batista changes in the Spring of 1958 as Castro started to gain international recognition and he called for a General Strike.

The offensive is designed to crush Fidel Castro's revolutionary army, who had been growing in strength in the area of the Sierra Maestra hills since their arrival in Cuba onboard the Granma yacht in December 1956.

When Operation Verano ends, Castro orders 3 columns commanded by Guevara, Jaime Vega and Camilo Cienfuegos to invade central Cuba. The offensive is met with resistance, notably at the Battle of La Plata and the Battle of Las Mercedes, and fails in its objective.

Resists Batista's summer offensive in the mountains.

Defeats a Batista battalion during Operation Verano.

In the Battle of La Plata which lasts from July 11 till July 21, Castros forces defeat an entire battalion, capturing 240 men, while losing just 3 of their own

Escapes encirclement during Batista's offensive.

By August 8th, Castros entire army had escaped back into the mountains, Operation Verano had been a failure for the Batista Government

There are four fronts in the "Oriente" province (now divided into Santiago de Cuba, Granma, Guantanamo and Holguin) directed by Fidel Castro, Rapounds l Castro and Juan Almeida Bosque

There are four fronts in the "Oriente" province (now divided into Santiago de Cuba, Granma, Guantanamo and Holguin) directed by Fidel Castro, Rapounds l Castro and Juan Almeida Bosque

After the defeat of the Batista "ofensiva", Castros forces began their offensive

The major Castro victory at Guisa, and the succeeding capture of several towns (Maffo, Contramaestre, Central Oriente) consolidates victory on the Cauto plains

The major Castro victory at Guisa, and the succeeding capture of several towns (Maffo, Contramaestre, Central Oriente) consolidates victory on the Cauto plains

Rebel forces capture Maffo during the final offensive.

Rebel forces capture Maffo during the final offensive.

Consolidates rebel control after the failure of Operation Verano.

Rebel forces capture Maffo during the final offensive.

The major Castro victory at Guisa, and the succeeding capture of several towns (Maffo, Contramaestre, Central Oriente) consolidates victory on the Cauto plains

Castro's forces enter Havana after Batista flees Cuba.

Begins the victory caravan from Santiago toward Havana.

Arrives in Havana after the revolutionary victory.

Assumes command of the revolutionary armed forces.

Castro arrives in Havana to cheering mobs and assumes the post of Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces

Miro unexpectedly resigns & Castro is sworn in as Prime Minister of Cuba

Becomes prime minister of the new revolutionary government.

Miro unexpectedly resigns & Castro is sworn in as Prime Minister of Cuba

Miro unexpectedly resigns & Castro is sworn in as Prime Minister of Cuba

Cuba signs an agreement to buy oil from the USSR

US refineries in Cuba refuse to process Cuban oil, they are expropriated, & the US breaks off diplomatic relations with the Castro Government. Cuba signs an agreement to buy oil from the USSR

US refineries in Cuba refuse to process Cuban oil, they are expropriated, & the US breaks off diplomatic relations with the Castro Government

Summary executions of suspected Batista collaborators and members of the opposition through the "paredones" take place after show trials

Castro flies to Washington DC but was not met by President Eisenhower, who decides to attend a golf tournament rather than meet with the Cuban leader

Castro signs the First Agrarian Reform Law, which expropriates over 1,000 acres of farmlands & forbids foreign land ownership

Castro signs the First Agrarian Reform Law, which expropriates over 1,000 acres of farmlands & forbids foreign land ownership

Signs the First Agrarian Reform Law limiting large estates and expropriating land

Castro signs the First Agrarian Reform Law, which expropriates over 1,000 acres of farmlands & forbids foreign land ownership

Castro signs the First Agrarian Reform Law, which expropriates over 1,000 acres of farmlands & forbids foreign land ownership

Cuba celebrates October 10th as the first declaration of independence after the day Castro and his army enter Havana, January 1, 1959, as "the triumph of the revolution"

26th of July Movement, the revolutionary organisation planned and led by Fidel Castro that in 1959 overthrew the Fulgencio Batista Government in Cuba

Castro flies to Washington DC but was not met by President Eisenhower, who decides to attend a golf tournament rather than meet with the Cuban leader. Cuba signs an agreement to buy oil from the USSR.

US refineries in Cuba refuse to process Cuban oil, they are expropriated, & the US breaks off diplomatic relations with the Castro Government.

The USSR sends over one hundred mostly Spanish speaking advisers, including Enrique Lister Forjan, to organize the Committee's for the Defence of the Revolution

A variety of pacts were signed between Castro & Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev, allowing Cuba to receive large amounts of economic & military aid

Eisenhower reduces Cuba's sugar import quota by 7,000,000 tons, & in response, Cuba nationalizes $850 million worth of US property & businesses.

The nationalization of private property and businesses to the tune of $25 billion and, particularly, US owned companies (to an excess of 1960 value of US $1. 0 billions arouses immediate hostility within the Eisenhower administration.

US refineries in Cuba refuse to process Cuban oil, they are expropriated, & the US breaks off diplomatic relations with the Castro Government. Cuba signs an agreement to buy oil from the USSR.

Over one million Cubans migrate to the US, forming a vocal anti-Castro community in Miami, Florida

Eisenhower refuses to meet Castro during his visit to the US.

Over one million Cubans migrate to the US, forming a vocal anti-Castro community in Miami, Florida

Eisenhower reduces Cuba's sugar import quota by 7,000,000 tons, & in response, Cuba nationalizes $850 million worth of US property & businesses.

The nationalization of private property and businesses to the tune of $25 billion and, particularly, US owned companies (to an excess of 1960 value of US $1.0 billions arouses immediate hostility within the Eisenhower administration.

US refineries in Cuba refuse to process Cuban oil, they are expropriated, & the US breaks off diplomatic relations with the Castro Government.

Over one million Cubans migrate to the US, forming a vocal anti-Castro community in Miami, Florida

The nationalization of private property and businesses to the tune of $25 billion and, particularly, US owned companies (to an excess of 1960 value of US $1.0 billions arouses immediate hostility within the Eisenhower administration.

Eisenhower reduces Cuba's sugar import quota by 7,000,000 tons, & in response, Cuba nationalizes $850 million worth of US property & businesses. Between April 15th and 26th, Castro & a delegation of industrial & international representatives visit the US as guests of the Press Club. A variety of pacts were signed between Castro & Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev, allowing Cuba to receive large amounts of economic & military aid

The USSR sends over one hundred mostly Spanish speaking advisers, including Enrique Lister Forjan, to organize the Committee's for the Defence of the Revolution.

Cuba nationalizes major US-owned refineries, utilities and industrial assets

The USA begins its embargo of Cuba after American wealth in Cuba is nationalized

Nationalizes the property of wealthy Cubans, Americans & other foreigners

Eisenhower breaks off diplomatic relations with Cuba

Eisenhower breaks off diplomatic relations with Cuba

Castro's government retains enough operational aircraft after the preliminary strikes to attack invasion shipping and bombers.

Castro directly commands Cuban armed forces responding to the Brigade 2506 landings.

The CIA assumed that the invasion would spark a popular uprising against Castro, however by the time the invasion began, Castro had already executed some who were suspected of colluding with the American campaign. President Kennedy withdraws support for the invasion at the last minute by canceling several bombing sorties that could have crippled the entire Cuban Air Force

Castro mobilises Cuban military and militia forces against the exile landings on the southern coast.

1,209 captured exiles are tried, a few executed and the rest sentenced to 30 yrs in prison for treason, after 20 months of negotiation with the USA, Cuba releases the exiles in exchange for dollars & medicine

Castro orders large Cuban forces toward the beachhead while armour and aircraft increase pressure on Brigade 2506.

By about 10:30 on 18 April, Cuban troops and militia, supported by tanks, took Playa Larga after Brigade forces had fled towards Giron in the early hours. During the day, Brigade forces retreated to San Blas along the two roads from Covadonga and Yaguaramas. By then, both Fidel Castro and Jose Ramon Fernandez had re-located to that battlefront area

Cuban forces under Castro's command defeat the remaining Brigade 2506 resistance at the Bay of Pigs.

Castro's government imprisons most surviving Brigade 2506 members captured after the invasion.

Castro forms a dictatorship & declares himself to be a Marxist-Leninist. As hundreds of thousands celebrate May Day, Castro announces Cuba is a socialist nation & abolishes elections

Castro forms a dictatorship & declares himself to be a Marxist-Leninist

As hundreds of thousands celebrate May Day, Castro announces Cuba is a socialist nation & abolishes elections

As hundreds of thousands celebrate May Day, Castro announces Cuba is a socialist nation & abolishes elections

The revolutionary government nationalizes most remaining large private businesses

In response to the Cuban alignment with the Soviet Union during the Cold War, President John F. Kennedy extended measures by Executive Order, widening the scope of the trade restrictions

In response to the Cuban alignment with the Soviet Union during the Cold War, President John F. Kennedy extended measures by Executive Order, widening the scope of the trade restrictions

In response to the Cuban alignment with the Soviet Union during the Cold War, President John F. Kennedy extended measures by Executive Order, widening the scope of the trade restrictions

The US imposes an embargo against Cuba

The US imposes an embargo against Cuba

The US imposes an embargo against Cuba

Castro discussed the Soviet proposal to deploy strategic missiles as protection against another American-backed attempt to overthrow his government.

Castro accepted the strategic deployment in principle after Soviet representatives presented the plan as a defense of Cuba.

Castro accepted the Soviet proposal to deploy missiles after consulting senior Cuban leaders.

The US announce its discovery of missile sites, and implements a quarantine around Cuba that woul intercept and search vessels heading for Cuba.

Castro mobilized Cuban forces after Kennedy announced the quarantine and demanded removal of the Soviet offensive missiles.

Castro rejected the legality of the quarantine and prepared Cuba for the possibility of American air strikes or invasion.

Castro warned Khrushchev that an invasion appeared imminent and urged a decisive Soviet response.

Castro warned Khrushchev that American military action appeared imminent and urged the Soviet Union to resist an invasion decisively.

Castro urges Khrushchev to launch a nuclear first strike against the United States if Cuba is invaded, but Khrushchev rejected any first strike response.

Khrushchev agrees to remove the Soviet missiles from Cuba. Castro demands that the USA evacuate Cuba's Guantanamo naval base.

Castro issued five demands for a broader settlement and rejected foreign inspection on Cuban territory.

Castro learned that Khrushchev had agreed to remove the missiles without first securing Cuban approval of the settlement.

Castro reiterated demands concerning Guantanamo, reconnaissance flights, economic pressure, and support for exile attacks against Cuba.

Castro resisted intrusive international inspection proposals while discussing implementation of the Soviet withdrawal with Mikoyan.

Castro agrees with Donovan to exchange 1,113 Bay of Pigs prisoners for food and medicine valued at about fifty-three million dollars.

On 21 December 1962, Cuban Prime Minister Fidel Castro and James B. Donovan a US lawyer aided by Milan C. Miskovsky, a CIA legal officer, signed an agreement to exchange 1,113 prisoners for US $53 million in food and medicine, sourced from private donations and from companies expecting tax concessions

Khrushchev agrees to remove the missiles in exchange for a US commitment not to invade Cuba and that the US will remove American MRBMs targeting Russia from Turkey and Italy.

Khrushchev wants to locate missiles in Cuba as a deterrent to a US invasion and justifies the move in response to US missile deployment in Turkey.

The US government views the installation of Soviet nuclear weapons 90 miles south of Key West as an aggressive act and a threat to US security.

Cuba is expelled from the Organisation of American States (OAS)

Cuba is expelled from the Organisation of American States (OAS)

Cuba is expelled from the Organisation of American States (OAS)

The US broadens the embargo against Cuba, including a general travel ban for American tourists

The US broadens the embargo against Cuba, including a general travel ban for American tourists

Multilateral sanctions are imposed by the OAS

Multilateral sanctions are imposed by the OAS

Multilateral sanctions are imposed by the OAS

Castro visits Chile

Castro orders the deployment of Cuban troops to Angola in order to aid the Marxist MPLA-ruled Government against the South African-backed UNITA opposition forces

Castro orders the deployment of Cuban troops to Angola in order to aid the Marxist MPLA-ruled Government against the South African-backed UNITA opposition forces

Sends 250 instructors to Angola for setting up camps & training the MPLA

Following the enactment of the Socialist Constitution, adopted without following the procedures laid out in the Constitution of 1940, the Republic of Cuba is defined as a socialist state

Following the enactment of the Socialist Constitution, adopted without following the procedures laid out in the Constitution of 1940, the Republic of Cuba is defined as a socialist state

Appointed President of Cuba

Appointed President of the Council of State. Appointed President of the Council of Minister's

The restrictions on US citizens traveling to Cuba lapse

The regulation on spending US dollars in Cuba is lifted

Dissidents occupy the Peruvian Embassy & Cuba allows a mass exodus from Port Mariel

125,000 migrant Cubans board US bound vessels at Port Mariel

The embargo on emigration is temporarily lifted

President Ronald Reagan reinstates the trade embargo with Cuba

Cuba agrees to to take back criminals in exchange for Cuban political prisoners

Cuba agrees to to take back criminals in exchange for Cuban political prisoners. A new airfield is constructed which is viewed by the US as being for military purposes

Announces Cuba will withdraw its troops from Angola "gradually & totally"

Cuba begins withdrawing its troops from Angola, more than 13 years after its first contingents arrived

After the collapse of the Soviet Union Cuba is left bankrupt & isolated by the disintegration of the Soviet bloc

The United Nations United Nations General Assembly has condemned the embargo as a violation of international law every year since 1992

The United Nations United Nations General Assembly has condemned the embargo as a violation of international law every year since 1992

Ascribes the role of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) to be the "leading force of society and of the state"

This constitution was replaced by a new Socialist Constitution, which claims to be guided by the ideas of Jose Marti, and the political ideas of Marx, Engels and Lenin. Ascribes the role of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) to be the "leading force of society and of the state"

This constitution was replaced by a new Socialist Constitution, which claims to be guided by the ideas of Jose Marti, and the political ideas of Marx, Engels and Lenin. Ascribes the role of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) to be the "leading force of society and of the state"

A new policy by the USA would let millions more dollars flow to Cubans and allow more direct flights, mail service, and trade

A new policy by the USA would let millions more dollars flow to Cubans and allow more direct flights, mail service, and trade

The US announces the creation of a task force made up of officials from several US agencies that will pursue more aggressively violators of the US trade embargo against Cuba, with severe penalties

Too ill to attend the nationwide commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Granma boat landing, which fueled speculations that Castro had stomach cancer, though Spanish doctor Dr. Garcia Sabrido stated that his illness is not terminal

Too ill to attend the nationwide commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Granma boat landing, which fueled speculations that Castro had stomach cancer, though Spanish doctor Dr. Garcia Sabrido stated that his illness is not terminal

Footage of Castro meeting with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is broadcast, where, according to international media reports, Castro "appeared frail but stronger than three months ago"

An ailing, 81-year-old Fidel Castro resigns as Cuba's President after nearly a half-century in power, saying he will not accept a new term when Parliament meets Feb 24

An ailing, 81-year-old Fidel Castro resigns as Cuba's President after nearly a half-century in power, saying he will not accept a new term when Parliament meets Feb 24

Death of Fidel Castro