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First revolutionary martyr falls to Batista's government
A student named Ruben Batista (no relation) is shot while participating in banned demonstrations.
Source: Cuba by Hugh Thomas for book click here -
First coup attempt against Batista fails
Professor Garcia Barena’s movement attempts to seize Camp Columbia. They were betrayed ahead of time, are arrested, and tortured.
Source: Cuba by Hugh Thomas for book click here -
Lansky pushes out scammers and mobsters in Cuba
Following an exposé on gambling in Cuba published in the Saturday Evening Post titled “Suckers in Paradise: How Americans Lose Their Shirts in Caribbean Gambling Joints" - Batista sent military police to arrest 13 U.S. born, mob affiliated card dealers and deport them. Lansky now reigned supreme without having to ruffle any feathers.
Source: Havana Nocturne -
Tensions increase as Batista loses popularity
175 students arrested at the university for participating in banned demonstrations.
Source: Cuba by Hugh Thomas for book click here -
Lansky pleads guilty in New York
Pleased with his work in Cuba, Lansky pled guilty to gambling charges in upstate New York. He was fined twenty-five hundred dollars and sentenced to three months in jail. The judge offered him a few days to put his affairs in order before going into prison, but he declined the offer. He wanted to do his time and have it out of the way by the time the new tourist season in Cuba rolled around.
Source: Havana Nocturne -
Attack on Moncada
Moncada Barracks were a garrison outside Santiago, Oriente. Castro's militants were to dress in army uniforms and arrive on 25 July, seizing control and raiding the armory before reinforcements arrived. The aim was to spark a revolution among Oriente's impoverished cane cutters and promote further uprisings. His plan emulated those of the 19th-century Cuban independence fighters who had raided Spanish barracks, & would be heir to José Martí.
Source: Young Castro -
Mirta seeks help from the Archbishop of Havana
Reading that Fidel has been involved in an attack, and not aware of his plans beforehand, she pleaded with Archbishop Manuel Cardinal Arteaga y Betancourt to save her husband's life. He telephoned and suggested that they ask the army commander in Santiago, Colonel Alberto del Rio Chaviano, to stop the wanton killings. As a longtime friend of the Castro family, the archbishop was more than willing to use his influence.
Source: Fidel y Raúl, mis hermanos -
Mirta receives a pension from Angel Castro
Date uncertain. So Fidelito would be well taken care of, during Fidel's imprisonment, Angel sent a pension to Mirta.
Source: Fidel y Raúl, mis hermanos -
Trial for Moncada Attack, History will Absolve Me
After the failure of Moncada, he and 27 others are apprehended outside of Santiago. Many are tortured except for Castro and his brother because of his connection to the Diaz-Balart. His trial is held in private, when he turns on the judges and gives a 90-minute testimony that is smuggled out and pamphleted: "History will Absolve me." Read it here. -
Batista announces general elections
General elections were pushed back to 1 year later, November 1954. Censorship was lifted and civil rights were allowed to return briefly. Many don’t like this and vow to sit out of elections.
Source: Cuba by Hugh Thomas for book click here -
Lansky facilitates purchase of Sans Souci nightclub
Cuban mobster Santo Trafficante purchased a controlling interest in the Sans Souci nightclub from the Pittsburgh-based duo of Sammy Mannarino and his brother, Kelly. This major transaction was most likely brokered by Lansky and perhaps even President Batista. This was part of the cleanup of shady practices that Lansky was executing.
Source: Havana Nocturne -
Mirta visits Fidel
Fidel was visited by Mirta and Fidelito around this date, along with his sisters Enma and Lidia. Fidelito seemed bigger and stronger, he noted with pride. Visiting days were the third Friday of each month, from noon to three. The next visiting day was November 20, and he expected Mirta to meet all his and Raúl’s requests.
Source: Fidel y Raúl, mis hermanos -
Lansky takes over Hotel Nacional
International Hotels, Inc., a subsidiary of Pan American, the principal air carrier from the United States to Havana, announced that they would be refurbishing the hotel, complete with a luxurious new complex of rooms, a restaurant, and a cabaret. Lansky become director, and brought experienced acquaintances in hospitality and gambling, including his younger brother to run gambling.
Sources disagree if this happened in 1953 or 1955.
Source: Havana Nocturne -
Fidel sentenced for 13 years to the Isle of Pines
Castro and 55 other Moncada Attackers are sentenced to 13 years to the infamous "Presido Modelo" in the Isle of Pines, where a watch tower saw into all the prisoners' cells in a 360-degree panaroma. (Fidel would send his political prisoners to the same prison a decade later.)
Source: Young Castro -
Fidel reaches out to Naty from jail
He makes the first move and says "I remember you and love you very much. I keep and will always keep the affectionate letter which you sent to my mother." and "In spite of the misery in this life, some things are eternal and cannot be erased, like my memories of you, which will accompany me to my grave."
Ends letter with "Yours always, Fidel."
Naty is 28.
Source: Havana Dreams -
Naty writes back
She says "I’m your friend and I never forget about you. You know that...." She replies in a friendly manner, discusses literalture and the novel Jean Christophe, tells Fidel her husband is well and overworked, and thanks him for breaking the ice and to not hesitate reaching out. Ends letter with "As always, Natty".
Source: Havana Dreams -
Fidel writes to Naty again
He briefly discusses literature, and requests "three single-spaced sheets of writing, containing all the grace and charm that is always present in your letters."
Source: Havana Dreams