Guatemala Military Training Planned
Hawkins develops infantry and amphibious training for the exile force.
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1960 in United States of America — Page 2
Explore 136 historical events and records for United States of America in 1960.
Historical records for United States of America in 1960
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 40 of 136 unique records.
136Unique records
2 of 4Page
38Named events on this page
17Named people on this page
7Places on this page
June
Japan Visit Cancelled
Cancels a planned visit to Japan amid intense political demonstrations over the revised security treaty.
Military Planning Directed
Hawkins directs detailed military planning and training for the Cuban project.
Project Direction Supported
Barnes helps direct political and paramilitary planning under Bissell.
Retalhuleu Air Base Developed
Dulles oversees development of a covert air-training base in Guatemala.
Sixteen Gauge Shotgun Purchase
Soon after receiving his hunting license, Lee purchased a single-barrel sixteen-gauge shotgun in Minsk.
July
President of United States of America
Appointed Presidential candidate for the Democratic Party
USS George Washington
USS George Washington successfully fires Polaris missiles while submerged
USS George Washington
The successful submerged launch of Polaris demonstrates the strategic value of ballistic missile submarines
Apollo Program Named
Suggests the name Apollo for NASA lunar spacecraft work.
Congo Crisis United Nations Support
Supports United Nations involvement as the newly independent Congo descends into political and military crisis.
August
Soviet Weapons Development Assessment
McCone forwarded the AEC General Advisory Committee's assessment of Soviet nuclear weapons development possibilities during the testing moratorium.
Echo I Satellite Message
Records a message transmitted in connection with the Echo I communications-satellite experiment.
Operation Budget Approved
Eisenhower approves a thirteen-million-dollar budget for the covert Cuban operation.
Operation Funding Expanded
Eisenhower approves additional funding for training, aircraft and covert facilities.
September
Supply Overflight Coordination
Parrott coordinates Special Group notification procedures for approved supply flights over Cuba.
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.
Election
During a televised debate with Kennedy Nixon appears drawn & makes the mistake of using "lazy shave" face powder
TV Debate
During a televised debate with Kennedy Nixon appears drawn & makes the mistake of using "lazy shave" face powder
October
Shift to Amphibious Assault Plan
Failed infiltrations lead planners to develop a larger amphibious assault by Cuban exiles.
Strike Force Concept Developed
Bissell shifts planning from small infiltrations toward a large amphibious assault.
November
Election
Defeats Richard Nixon by 49.9% to 49.6% of the popular vote
President of USA
Defeats Richard Nixon by 49.9% to 49.6% of the popular vote. Becomes the youngest ever President & the 1st Catholic. Appointed President of the USA, 35th President
Presidential Election Defeat
Defeated by John F Kennedy in the Presidential elections
Polaris Patrol
USS George Washington begins the first Polaris deterrent patrol with nuclear armed submarine launched ballistic missiles
Death of Clark Gable
Death of Clark Gable
Briefing of President-Elect Kennedy
Dulles and Bissell brief President-elect Kennedy on the developing Cuban invasion plan.
First Detailed CIA Briefing
Kennedy receives his first detailed briefing on the planned Cuban exile operation.
Kennedy Briefed by CIA
Bissell joins Dulles in briefing President-elect Kennedy on the invasion concept.
President-Elect Briefing Led
Dulles leads the first detailed briefing of Kennedy on the Cuban project.
Amphibious Assault Concept Approved
Eisenhower approves continued development of the amphibious invasion concept.
Interagency Plan Review
Eisenhower reviews the invasion concept with senior intelligence, defence and diplomatic officials.
Project Urgency Meeting
Goodpaster joins the meeting where Eisenhower demands maximum urgency in preparations against Castro.
Campaign Position on Castro
Nixon argues for firm action against Castro during the presidential campaign.
Campaign Position on Cuba
Kennedy criticises Castro and supports stronger opposition to the Cuban government.
Hard-Line Cuba Campaign Position
Nixon campaigns on a hard line toward Castro during the presidential election.
Presidential Campaign Debate over Cuba
Kennedy campaigns on a hard line toward Castro during the presidential election.
December
Paramilitary Status Briefing
Lansdale participates in a Special Group briefing on the status and timing of paramilitary preparations.
Planned Return to Cuba
A CIA biographical record stated that Fiorini planned to leave Florida on December 16, 1960, to return to Cuba and fight against Castro.
Cuban Democratic Revolutionary Front
Arcacha Smith established the Cuban Democratic Revolutionary Front in New Orleans as part of organized anti-Castro exile activity.
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.