THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 11, 1996 TAG: 9608110130
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A18 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: 52 lines
A REBEL'S LIFE
Aug. 13, 1926 - Fidel Castro born to wealthy sugarcane planter.
1945-53 - Student leader, University of Havana, earning law
degree in 1950. Practices law in Havana 1950-53
Oct. 12, 1948 - Marries Mirta Diaz-Bilart (divorced, 1955).
March 10, 1952 - Gen. Fulgencio Batista takes power in coup,
establishing military dictatorship in Cuba.
July 26, 1953 - Castro leads failed raid on Moncada army barracks
in Santiago and is sentenced to 15 years in prison.
May 15, 1955 - Castro freed in general political amnesty and
heads to Mexico to organize guerrilla force.
Dec. 2, 1956 - Fidel Castro, brother Raul, and Argentine
revolutionary Ernesto ``Che'' Guevara land yacht Granma in Cuba with
82 rebels. Dozens of fighters are killed by Batista's army, but
leaders gain foothold in Sierra Maestra mountains and open war with
growing volunteer force.
Jan. 1, 1959 - Batista driven into exile and Castro assumes
power, laying foundations for first communist nation in West.
January 1961 - Diplomatic ties broken between Cuba and United
States.
April 17, 1961 - Some 1,300 CIA-trained Cuban exiles attempt
invasion at Bay of Pigs. Most are taken prisoner.
December 1961 - Castro proclaims Cuba is on a Marxist-Leninist
course.
Feb. 3, 1962 - President Kennedy signs executive order imposing
trade embargo on Cuba.
October 1962 - Cuban missile crisis draws United States and
Soviet Union to brink of confrontation when U.S. spy planes uncover
Soviet intent to put nuclear weapons in Cuba. Soviets agree to
withdraw missiles.
April 1980 - Thousands occupy Peruvian Embassy in Havana, leading
to Mariel boatlift. More than 120,000 refugees sail for Florida.
Aug. 29, 1990 - Cuba announces austerity measures aimed at
helping overcome an economic crisis as Soviet bloc crumbles.
August 5, 1994 - Discontent over worsening economy sparks riots
in Havana and exodus of 30,000 Cubans fleeing on rafts. The United
States and Cuba later sign immigration treaty to halt flow.
Feb. 28, 1996 - Cuban Air Force shoots down two civilian planes
piloted by Cuban-American exiles off the island nation's coast.
March 12, 1996 - President Clinton signs law toughening economic
sanctions against Cuba.
KEYWORDS: FIDEL CASTRO TIMELINE by CNB