3 Jan 1959Alaska becomesUS state
Jun 1959Cuban intervention inDominican Rep. fails
Aug 1959Hawaii becomesUS state
Oct 1960US embargoagainst Cubabegins
Nov 1960GuatemalanCivil War begins
Apr 1961US-backed invasionof Cuba at Bay of Pigs;defeated by Castro
Feb 1962Venezuela reopensGuiana dispute
May 1962West Indies Federationis dissolved
6 Aug 1962Jamaica gainsindependence
31 Aug 1962Trinidad & Tobagogains independence
14–28 Oct 1962Cuban Missile Crisis:US confronts Sovietsover missiles in Cuba