Pope John Paul II visits Cuba
January 24
Pope John Paul II meets Fidel Castro and spends five days visiting Cuba. Celebrates Mass on Revolution Square in Havana.
Cuba Shoots Down U.S. Civilian Planes
February 24
Cuban fighter jets shoot down 2 Cessna aircraft flown by Cuban-Americans dropping anti-Castro leaflets.
US Implements Permanent Embargo
March 12
US Trade embargo made permanent in response to the downing of the planes.
Cuba OKs Private Investments in State Enterprises
October 30
Cuba opens state enterprises to private investment.
UN General Assembly Passes Embargo Resolution
August 19
The United Nations General Assembly passes a resolution condemning the ongoing impact of the US embargo and declaring it in violation of the Charter of the UN and international law. This resolution is passed annually.
GTMO Converted…
TV Marti Launches
March 27
US launches TV Martí, US funded anti-Castro broadcast aimed at Cuba.
September
President Fidel Castro announces Cuba had entered a "Special Period" with reduced levels of import from the Soviet Union due to it's economic…
Mariel Boatlift
April 15 – October 31
Approximately 125,000 Cubans flee to the United States.
Cuban Troops to Africa
©Wikimedia Commons User:Egs / CC-BY-SA-3.0
Cuba begins sending troops to Africa to assist in revolutions.
Guevara Executed
October 9
Socialist revolutionary and guerilla leader, Che Guevara executed in La Higuera, Bolivia at the age of 39.
Political Party Renamed Communist Party of Cuba
October 3
Cuba’s sole political party renamed the Communist Party of Cuba.
Cuban Missile Crisis
Sunday, January 21
Cuba expelled from the Organization of the American States (OAS).
October 15–28
Castro indicates Cuba will soon have new defenses against the US.
Castro allows Union of Soviet Socialist Republics(USSR) nuclear…
