September 1960 - Castro addresses the United Nations General
Assembly. April 17, 1961 - A group of approximately 1,300 Cuban
exiles lands at Playa Giron (Bay of Pigs). Armed with U.S.
weapons, they make an unsuccessful attempt to overthrow Castro.
Eventually, the survivors are released, in December 1962, in
exchange for $53 million in food and medicine. December 3, 1976
- Castro is elected president of the State Council. This new
title replaces the posts of president and prime minister. March
18, 1977 - President Jimmy Carter ends the ban on U.S. travel to
Cuba. April 21-September 26, 1980 - Some 125,000 Cubans emigrate
to the United States. This exodus becomes known as the Mariel
Boatlift. April 19, 1982 - President Ronald Reagan reinstates
the ban on U.S. travel to Cuba. August 19, 1994 - President Bill
Clinton announces an end to the U.S. "open door" policy on Cuban
refugees, established by President Johnson in 1966. From now on,
Cubans intercepted at sea will be repatriated, but those who
reach land will