In 1977 Cuba and the United states began direct diplomatic discussions for the first time since 1961. Fidel Castro led Cuba in a communist revolution against a corrupt tyrant Fulgencio Batista. Under Castro life began to improve for the Cuban people. Batista would horde money from trade leaving very little for the people but Castro Nationalised companies providing more for Cubans and he introduced free health care. However Erroneous reports circulated that people were being badly treated and America imposed economic sanctions. Castro turned to trade with Russia and the increased relations between Communist Russia and Cuba caused a growing rift between Cuba and the United States. On the 22nd of October 1962 the announcement of the ‘Cuban Missile Crises’ caused panic across the world almost starting Global Nuclear War. Britain, Turkey and Italy had United States Thermonuclear Jupiter and Thor missiles in their countries for a few years when the Russian’s, using their influence, placed some of their own in Cuba. Previously America had not had the threat of nuclear missiles on their doorstep and Cuba being just 90 miles from Florida the US would have little time to react. For the theoretical ‘Mutually Assured Destruction’ deterrent to work being able to respond quickly was vital and without it, Russia had the advantage. The Crisis ended peacefully after 13 days but relations between Cuba and America had got worse. On this day in 1977 the two nation’s leaders (now US President Jimmy Carter and Castro) met in New York to discuss fishing rights, among other things, and relations seemed to be improving. However President Carter was advised not to show weakness and in a later meeting he began to criticise Cuba’s involvement in the Angolan Civil War and warned him not to allow Russian Troops into Cuba. Castro didn’t like this attempted show of dominance and communications once again broke down. In retaliation Castro encouraged thousands of Cubans, mainly from prisons and insane asylums, to emigrate to The United States. Cuba is still under economic sanctions by the United States.
In 1603 Queen Elizabeth I of England and Ireland died aged 70. Elizabeth was the daughter of King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn and became Queen after the death of her sister Mary on the 17th of November 1558. Queen Elizabeth was one of the great Monarch in English History and her 45 year reign as Queen was considered the Golden Ages. Elizabeth was a Protestant which gave her many enemies during her reign with many wanting a Catholic on the throne. In 1568 Queen Mary’s second attempt to defeat the Scottish Nobles she fled to the England and was welcomed by her friend and cousin Queen Elizabeth I. After Mary became involved in various plots by Spanish and English Catholics to overthrow Queen Elizabeth, Mary was placed under arrest. In 1586 another foiled plot directly started by Mary she was tried and convicted of treason.
She was executed on the 8th of February 1587. A year later King Phillip of Spain also wanted a catholic on the throne and had amassed a naval fleet called the ‘Spanish Armada’ which he sent to defeat the English. Elizabeth was a great public speaker and addressed her people about the impending battle, ‘I know I have the body of a weak, feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a king - and of a King of England too’ she proclaimed. A fleet led by Sir Francis Drake defeated the Spanish Armada. Elizabeth never married and never gave birth to an heir. When she died on this day in 1603 the son of Mary Queen of Scots became King James VI of England, Ireland and Scotland uniting the realm.
