Fidel Castro’s visit to New York in September 1960 became the reason for celebration in 2016. Hotel Theresa in Harlem gave a warm welcome to this political event from the past. In this hotel in 1960 Fidel Castro and Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev had an important conversation about the destiny of communism in Latin America.
In 1960, Fidel Casto — leader of communistic and revolutionary Cuba, met in the Hotel Theresa in Harlem with the leader of USSR Khrushchev. That times Fidel wore military fatigues, you can see this in the photo below. Cuban leader arrived in New York to address the United Nations General Assembly amidst icy Cold War and super-heated international tensions of the XX century.
Policemen, press and security guards add to mob scene outside Hotel Theresa during the Khrushyov-Castro tete-a-tete, 1960
During the visit of Castro in 1960, there were still a few protesters near Theresa Hotel, but Harlemites by and large welcomed Castro. Fidel even walked the streets of Harlem — he was the young, cheerful and very encouraging person for many Harlemits, according to journalist A. Peter Bailey. Then journalist was 22 only, and he was among the crowds gathered outside the hotel nightly shouting “Fidel, Fidel!” until Castro acknowledged them from the building’s upper floors.
Hotel Theresa in New York: about
The Hotel Theresa was opened in 1913 on W. 125th St. and Seventh Ave., the building became black-owned in 1940. Most major downtown hotels were white-only establishments, indeed.
