Cuban Charges Heard at United Nations
Stevenson responds after Cuba accuses the United States of directing air attacks.
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1961 in United States of America — Page 3
Explore 334 historical events and records for United States of America in 1961.
Historical records for United States of America in 1961
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April
False Defector Evidence Presented
Stevenson confronts Cuban evidence challenging the defector cover story.
Invasion of Cuba
At about 06:00 Cuban time, eight Douglas B-26B Invader bombers attacked three Cuban airfields in three groups.
Invasion of Cuba
They struck San Antonio de los Banos, Ciudad Libertad near Havana, and Antonio Maceo International Airport at Santiago de Cuba.
No Intervention Pledge
Stevenson publicly denies that United States forces will intervene in Cuba.
Operation Puma Air Plan
Operation Puma calls for sustained strikes against Cuban aircraft and airfields.
Operation Puma Air Strikes
Exile B-26 aircraft attack three Cuban airfields before the main landing.
Three Cuban Airfields Targeted
Kennedy is informed that strikes hit airfields near Havana and Santiago de Cuba.
United States Denial at United Nations
Stevenson states that United States armed forces will not intervene in Cuba.
United States Involvement Denied
Stevenson presents the administration claim that Cuban defectors conducted the attacks.
Air Strike Cancellation Challenged
Cabell goes to Rusk with Bissell to challenge cancellation of the planned D-Day air strikes.
Cancellation of Second Air Strike
Cancels or limits further overt air strikes before the landing phase of the operation
Cancellation of Second Air Strike
Supports caution over additional air strikes because of diplomatic and deniability concerns
D-Day Air Strike Protest
Bissell joins Cabell in arguing that cancellation of the dawn strikes leaves Castro's remaining aircraft able to attack the brigade.
D-Day Air Strikes Cancelled
Bundy informs Cabell that dawn air strikes are not to proceed until they can be launched from the beachhead.
Landing Diversion Deadline Passed
Bundy confirms that no presidential diversion order has been issued, allowing the landing operation to proceed.
Political Grounds for Strike Cancellation
Rusk explains the political reasons preventing the planned dawn strikes before the beachhead airfield is secured.
Barbara J Landing Operations Directed
Robertson helps direct the landing phase from the Barbara J during the opening hours of the invasion.
Blagar Landing Operations Directed
Lynch helps direct the landing from the Blagar and remains involved as Cuban aircraft repeatedly attack the vessel.
Defense Department Crisis Deliberations
McNamara participates in discussions as Cuban forces attack the landing area.
Early Warning Destroyers Positioned
Clark positions destroyers offshore to provide early warning for the Cuban Expeditionary Force ships.
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
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.
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.
Invasion Political Support
As Brigade 2506 landed at the Bay of Pigs, Hunt's political work remained focused on the exile leadership intended to support a post-Castro government.
Invasion Situation Briefed after Return
Dulles is briefed late on the invasion crisis, including men ashore, undelivered supplies and two ships lost to Cuban aircraft.
Naval Air Cover Request Relayed
Gray relays the urgent request for carrier air protection after cancellation of the planned Cuban exile air strikes.
Overt Military Support Withheld
Kennedy permits the exile operation but refuses deployment of conventional United States forces.
Political Action Planning
Hunt helps organise the political component of the failed exile operation.
Restricted Air CAP Ordered
Wheeler orders restricted carrier air cover for Cuban Expeditionary Force shipping outside Cuban territorial waters.
Caribe Located and Turned North
Clark sends aircraft to locate the distant Caribe and persuade its master to turn north toward the operational area.
CEF Ships Recalled toward Point Zulu
Clark works to turn surviving Cuban Expeditionary Force ships back toward Point Zulu after the landing force comes under heavy attack.
One-Hour Navy Air Cover Authorised
Kennedy authorises a limited one-hour Navy fighter cover mission for the brigade's final B-26 operation.
Reply to Khrushchev on Cuba
Kennedy tells Khrushchev that the United States intends no military intervention while defending the aspirations of anti-Castro Cubans.
Response to Khrushchev
Kennedy denies intended United States military intervention while defending Cuban exiles.
B-26 Shot Down
Shamburger is killed when a Cuban fighter shoots down his B-26.
Destroyer Evacuation Attempt
Clark sends destroyers toward the beaches to attempt evacuation of brigade survivors.
Destroyer Evacuation Move Ordered
Clark sends destroyers toward the beaches in an effort to evacuate surviving brigade members.
Final B-26 Mission
Ray flies an American-crewed B-26 during the final mission.
Government-in-Exile Plan Fails
The defeat of Brigade 2506 ended the immediate plan for the exile political organization Hunt had helped assemble to assume authority in Cuba.
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.