1959: The year Fidel Castro completely charmed America

When Fidel Castro came to New York in April 1959, it was a mere four months since the 33-year-old had led the successful revolution to overthrow the Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista.

Castro had pulled no punches in his anti-America speeches, and he had extensive associations with the political left. Yet the press loved Castro, and it was the American Society of Newspaper Editors who extended an invite for his visit to the U.S

Castro seemed almost super-real, like a character from an action movie, in his trademark green army uniform, boots and bushy beard. Castro certainly did not disappoint his journalistic hosts, regaling reporters with the many tales of his time as a fighter in the Cuban guerilla war. Read more...

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