A new era Fidel Castro becomes prime minister of Cuba after overthrowing dictator Fulgencio Batista.

Embargo Declared US recognises the new government but relations deteriorate following execution of Batista loyalists and nationalisation of US oil refineries. President Dwight Eisenhower declares trade embargo on Cuban exports.

Bay of Pigs US breaks all diplomatic relationships with Cuba. Kennedy administration aids CIA-trained Cuban exiles in unsuccessful invasion at Bay of Pigs. Castro uses his strengthened position to declare Cuba a communist state. Kennedy administration implements Operation Mongoose in an attempt to overthrow Castro (including an assassination attempt.)

Cuban Missile Crisis Cuban missile crisis triggered by placement of Soviet nuclear silos in Cuba as Castro fears invasion from US. Russia agrees to remove the missiles from Cuba in exchange for the removal of US missiles from Turkey.

President Jimmy Carter tries to repair relations with Cuba re-establishing diplomatic missions and negotiating the release of thousands of prisoners.

Cuban boarders are opened Cuban government opens its boarders for anyone to leave. Roughly 125,000 Cuban – many of them convicts – flee to the US.

Post USSR Cuba hit hard after collapse of the USSR.

Brothers to the Rescue planes shot down Amidst worsening relations between Florida-based migrants, Cuban jets shoot down two US rescue planes over North Havana waters killing four people. US tightens embargo.

The Cuban Five US arrests five Cuban spies(the Cuban five). Cuba campaigns to have them released claiming they were defending against American terror attacks. Pope John Paul II visits Cuba (the first pope since Castro) and calls for social and political reform.

Elian Gonzalez A boat carrying 6yr old Elian Gonzalez and his mother from Cuba to Florida capsizes. Elian is rescued but his mother drowns. He becomes a subject of international custody between his relatives in Miami and father in Cuba.

Elian Gonzalez is sent back to Cuba. President Bill Clinton and Fidel Castro shake hands at the United Nations.

Hurricane Michelle Hurricane Michelle hits Cuban coast. US exports food to Cuba for first time in 40 years.

Bush declares Cuba in "axis of evil" First Afghan prisoners reach Guantanamo Bay naval station. In the same year Bush administration accuses Cuban government of developing biological weapons and declares them part of the "axis of evil". Jimmy Carter makes goodwill visit in an attempt to ease growing tensions.

Bush tightens embargo President Bush implements new measures to tighten embargo on Cuba in an attempt to catalyze an end to the communist rule.

Raul Castro takes over Raul Castro becomes official president of Cuba.Congressional advocates try to meet with him but are denied. Obama elected President.

Obama lifts travel restriction President Obama lifts restrictions on family travel and remittances to Cuba. Cuba arrests USAID contractor Alan Gross on charges of espionage.

US releases Rene Gonzalez US releases Cuban agent Rene Gonzalez (member of a group known as the Cuban Five) from Florida jail. In exchange they call for US contractor Alan Gross to be released. Cuba refuses.

US - Cuba handshake Raul Castro and Barack Obama meet at the Nelson Mandela memorial service and shake hands.

A new beginning In December both presidents announced that they were re-establishing diplomatic relations. Alan Gross returned to US soil.