Chronology

Delivering an address honouring Revolución newspaper, where he was awarded the International Journalists Association Prize; the ceremony was held at the Ambassadors’ Hall at the Habana Libre Hotel.

Delivering an address at the closing ceremony of the Revolutionary Youth Students Congress; held at the Payret Cinema.

Playing golf with Che and Núñez Jiménez at the Colinas de Villarreal neighbourhood. (Korda commented that it was Fidel’s unique way of responding to Dwight Eisenhower.)

Delivering an address at inauguration of the Construction Workers’ Committee for the Defense of the Revolution; the ceremony was held at the Metropolitan District of Public Works.

Delivering an address at a meeting of Cuban workers prior to May Day celebrations; the meeting was held at the Palacio de los Obreros’ auditorium.

Delivering the concluding lecture of the Sixth Meeting on Education and Revolution in Havana.

Addressing professionals and technicians from the construction sector at a ceremony held at CTC headquarters.

Conveying a communiqué informing the Cuban people of the attacks by US-made B-26 bombers against targets in Havana, San Antonio de los Baños and Santiago de Cuba. In the document, Fidel outlines that “if these air attacks is a prelude to an invasion, the country is ready to fight and will resolutely resist and destroy any force that tries to land in our country.”

Fidel pays his respects to victims killed in the air attacks airfields in Havana, San Antonio de los Baños and Santiago de Cuba, during a ceremony held at the historic corner of 23 and 12 Streets, the day after the attacks. He declares a national state of alert before the imminent threat of a mercenary invasion. During his address, he condemns US imperialism and proclaims the socialist nature of the Cuban Revolution, characterizing it as “the socialist and democratic Revolution of the humble, with the humble and for the humble.”
Following a call on the Cuban people to be prepared to fight and defend the Revolution, Fidel resumes his position at the National General Staff, the so-called Point One, where he receives and analyzes all reports coming in of suspicious activities in Cuba.
Fidel summons students at the National Revolutionary Militia School to fight for the defence of the country.
Fidel personally participates in organizing and overseeing operations to neutralize the mercenary invasion at Playa Girón (Bay of Pigs). Fidel signs the communiqué announcing victory on April 19.

At 3:15 a.m. Fidel is briefed at the Command Post about combat in Playa Girón and Playa Larga, where US-financed and trained mercenary troops have landed.
Around mid-morning, Cuban radio stations simultaneously broadcast Communiqué No. 1 of the Revolutionary Government signed by the Commander in Chief who, in the face of the mercenary invasion, calls on the people to “respond with iron and fire to the barbarians who despise us and expect us to once again become their slaves.”
Fidel and President Osvaldo Dorticós denounce before the world that “US imperialism has launched its cowardly aggression against Cuba” and calls for “the solidarity of the peoples of the Americas and the world.”
Around 2:00 p.m., Fidel tours around the area where Cuban revolutionary militia have begun combating mercenaries at Playa Girón and sets up his command post at the Australia sugar mill, at the entrance to the Ciénaga de Zapata swamp (province of Matanzas.)
That night, Fidel meets with the head of the Cuban Revolutionary Militia School, Captain José Ramón Fernández, in the town of Pálpite (province of Matanzas) Fernández details Fidel on the defence strategy being used to combat mercenary troops.

Sees off Commander Ernesto Guevara at the José Martí International Airport. He was heading the Cuban delegation to attend the Inter-American Economic and Social Council Conference in Punta del Este, Uruguay.

Giving the world’s first cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, who was on a visit to Cuba, a picture with a dedication that read: “To Yuri Gagarin, as a memory of his trip to Cuba where his immortal deeds in cosmic space will always be remembered and admired as a friend and brother. Fidel Castro. Cuba. August 4, 1961.”