CUBA AND THE COLD WAR | From revolution to missile crisis
CHANNEL | BBC Television
FIRST BROADCAST | 10 January 1959
DURATION | 1 minute 13 seconds
FIRSTBROADCAST
1959
Surrounded by press and supporters, Castro answers questions regarding a free election, gambling, tourism and whether he'll shave off his beard. He concludes with, 'Batista finished for ever in Cuba.' This news item may not have been shown in its entirety since it was first broadcast and suffers from poor sound quality.
Soon after growing a beard, Castro discovered its advantages. It became a form of identification that prevented spies from infiltrating the guerrilla group (as they would need at least six months of beard-growing preparation), a symbol of the revolution and, lastly, he proclaimed that not having to shave is more economical and frees up valuable time in the morning.
Castro speaks to reporters a week after the revolution.
Robin Day reports from Florida on the Cuban exiles.
President Kennedy speech following the Bay of Pigs incident.
'Panorama' visits Fidel Castro after the Bay of Pigs invasion.
Kennedy's speech on the Cuban missile crisis.