This Week in History
Listen to and learn about events that happened this week in history—including politics, war, crime, inventions, entertainment and fashion. An archive of events that have shaped history — for learners and teachers of English, with vocabulary, audio recordings and quick quizzes.
17 April 1961
Cuba Repels Bay Of Pigs Invasion
Cubans defeat US-backed insurgents trying to bring down their government.
In 1961, a force of 1,400 Cuban exiles from the USA landed at the Bay of Pigs in Cuba with the aim of overthrowing Fidel Castro's government. The insurgents landed with American support from the sea and air but were defeated by Cuban forces in just 3 days. More than 100 of the insurgents died in the attack, and 1,189 were taken prisoner. The failed invasion proved an embarrassment for the US government after their involvement was revealed.
repel (verb): beat or drive back invaders
insurgents (noun): rebels; revolutionaries; fighters who attack a government
exile (noun): person living outside their native country, by choice or otherwise
overthrow (verb): take over; put another out of control
invasion (noun): the forceful entry into an area
insurgents (noun): rebels; revolutionaries; fighters who attack a government
exile (noun): person living outside their native country, by choice or otherwise
overthrow (verb): take over; put another out of control
invasion (noun): the forceful entry into an area
Test your understanding:
The insurgents who landed at the Bay of Pigs were supported by
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It took just three days for
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Insurgents are people who fight
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