Jan. 1, 1959 - Dictator Fulgencio Batista flees Cuba and Fidel Castro's rebels take power. February 1960 - Soviet Deputy Prime Minister Anastas Mikoyan visits Cuba, signs sugar and oil deals, first of ...

Fidel Castro's rule of Cuba began in 1959 -- when he became the island nation's prime minister -- until 2008, when he transferred power to his brother, Raul Castro. Tensions between Cuba and the U.S.

October 15: Raúl Castro, Fidel's brother, is named Minister of Defense. October 19: Along with 14 officers, Comandante Huber Matos, an important figure in the revolution, resigns his post as military ...

The son of a wealthy landowner, Fidel Castro turned his back on a life of privilege to lead a left-wing revolution in Cuba that endured for decades and was shaped by his political cunning, keen sense ...

The Cuban government, which has so far outlasted 13 U.S. presidents, faces its gravest challenge yet. Images from The New York Times and others record nearly seven decades of political turmoil, ...

Prologue: Fidelmania -- Part One: The Cuban "madness". DIY revolution -- The curse of San Juan Hill -- Fulgencio versus Fidel -- The misfire heard around the world -- Island of lost souls -- Fellow ...

(HAVANA) -- Fidel Castro ruled Cuba beginning in 1959 -- when he became the island nation's prime minister -- until 2008, when he transferred power to his brother, Raul Castro. Below, key milestones ...