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Trujillo was Born
Trujillo was born in San Cristóbal, Dominican Republic, to José Trujillo Valdez, and Altagracia Julia Molina Chevalier. -
The U.S. Occupied the Dominican Republic and Trujillo Joined the Constabulary Guard
During the United States’ occupation of the Dominican Republic from 1916 to 1924, Trujillo joined the Constabulary Guard and was trained by U.S. Marines. -
Castro was Born
Castro was born in Birán, Cuba, to Angel Castro and Lina Ruz Gonzalez. -
Trujillo was Named Commander in Chief of the National Army
Trujillo was named commander in chief as a result of his training in the U.S. Marines, which caused his military career to quickly progress. -
Trujillo Began Ruling as Dictator of the Dominican Republic
A group of rebels under the leadership of Urena planned to overthrow Dominican President Horacio Vasquez for disregarding the constitution by extending his presidential term. General Trujillo, with whom Urena had previously made an arrangement, held his troops back as the revolution unfolded, staying neutral. With Vasquez in exile and the power of government up for grabs, Trujillo eliminated his political rivals through intimidation or force and easily won the next presidential election. -
Trujillo Remaned the Capital "Ciudad Trujillo" in His Honor
Right after Trujillo became president in 1930, the capital city of Santo Domingo was virtually destroyed and 2,000 people were killed by a hurricane that ripped through the Dominican Republic. Trujillo responded by clearing the debris and rebuilding the city. In 1936, he renamed the capital Cuidad Trujillo in his honor, along with thousands of other streets, monuments, and landmarks throughout the country. -
Hatian Immigrants were Massacred under Trujillo
An estimated 30,000 Haitians immigrants and black Dominicans were rounded up at gunpoint and executed under Trujillo. They were often executed by machetes to give the impression that peasants had commited the murder. -
Castro Joined a Failed Coup Attempt Against Dominican Dictator Rafael Trujillo
After the failed attempt, Castro returned to the University of Havana and joined the Partido Ortodoxo, an anti-communist political party. -
Castro Married Mirta Diaz-Balart
Castro and Mirta spent their honeymoon in the United States. -
Castro Lead an Armed Uprising Against Military Dictator Fulgencio Batista
The uprising failed and Castro was captured and sentenced to 15 years in prison. -
Trujillo Ordered Every Household to Hang a Plaque that Read: "In this House, Trujillo is Chief."
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Castro Got Out of Jail Under Amnesty
Once he was released from prison, Castro left for Mexico. -
Trujillo Broke Relations with Cuba
Trujillo broke relations with Cuba soon after Castro took power. -
Castro Made a Victorious Entry into Havana, Cuba
Castro was appointed prime minister in February. He then began the political, economic and social transformations of Cuba. -
U.S. Broke Diplomatic Ties with Havana, Cuba
After the U.S. broke diplomatic ties, Castro declared his revolution "Socialist," and later declared himself "a lifelong Marxist-Leninist!" Cuba was now officially Communist. -
Trujillo was Assassinated
Trujillo was ambushed while traveling home in his car and gunned down by seven assassins, some of whom were members of his own armed forces. -
The Cuban Missle Crisis
The Soviet Union deployed missiles in Cuban waters but eventually agreed to withdraw to guarantee that the United States would not invade Cuba. -
Castro Founded a New Cuban Communist Party
Castro was named First Secretary in the Communist Party. -
Castro Became President
Castro was ratified by the newly-created National Assembly. -
Soviet Union's Collapse Plunged Cuba into Economic Crisis
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Cuba lost approximately 80% of its imports, 80% of its exports and its Gross Domestic Product dropped by 34 percent. -
Havana Residents had a huge Anti-Castro Riot
Hundreds of Havana residents rioted in the biggest anti-Castro disturbance since the revolution. -
More than 35,000 Cubans Emigrated from Cuba to the United States
More than 35,000 people left Cuba in flimsy rafts and boats during the summer crisis, causing a migration agreement with the United States to be formed, allowing a minimum of 20,000 legal entry visas to Cubans annually. -
Castro Lead Cubans in a March to Defend the Socialist System
The Cubans marched along the Havana waterfront in a campaign to defend the socialist system in the face of growing dissent and U.S. pressures. -
Castro Signed an Alliance with Venezuela's President
Castro signed an alliance with Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez. Venezuela's oil is key to keeping Cuba's economy afloat. -
Castro Handed the Reigns of Power to His Brother, Raul
Castro was forced to temporarily transfer the power to his brother, Raul Castro, after undergoing emergency surgery to stop intestinal bleeding caused by an undisclosed illness. -
Castro Resigned from Presidency
Castro announced his withdrawal in presidency in a message, writing: "I neither will aspire to nor will I accept the position of president of the council of state and commander in chief."
