Take a journey into past local, national, and global events via Deseret News archives.
On April 17, 1961, some 1,400 CIA-trained Cuban exiles launched the Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba in an attempt to topple Fidel Castro, whose forces crushed the incursion within three days.
The 1961 invasion was an unsuccessful assault initiated by the CIA under the Kennedy administration aimed at ousting Castro from his position of power.
Ever since 1959, authorities from both the U.S. State Department and the Central Intelligence Agency have tried to oust him. Ultimately, on April 17, 1961, the CIA initiated what they considered would be the decisive action: an extensive assault carried out by Cuban exiles who were trained in America after fleeing their homeland under Castro’s rule.
Nonetheless, the invasion was destined for failure from the very beginning. The attackers were significantly outmatched by Castro’s forces, with numerous assailants capitulating within fewer than 24 hours of engagement.
The Deseret News and most newspapers in the nation followed the daily updates with anticipation as Russia and the United States battled in words and bullets during the Cold War, with the island of Cuba serving as a battleground.
Here are some stories from Deseret News archives about the Bay of Pigs invasion and what has resulted from the failed attempt to drive Fidel Castro from power:
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The man who saw too much
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Bay of Pigs conference ends with visit to infamous beach
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Over 50 years, Bay of Pigs vets shaped Miami, U.S.
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50 years later, Congress honors Bay of Pigs veterans
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Opinion: The time is now to change U.S.-Cuba relations
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A.F. secretary during the Bay of Pigs, missile crisis dies
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Were Kennedys obsessed with Castro?”
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Suit seeks release of CIA report on Bay of Pigs”
