The Bay of Pigs was a failed military invasion of Cuba that took place in April 1961. It was organized by the United States government, specifically the CIA, to overthrow the Cuban leader Fidel Castro. The plan involved training Cuban exiles to invade Cuba and spark a rebellion against Castro's communist regime. The invasion began on April 17, 1961, but quickly encountered problems. The exiles faced strong resistance from Cuban forces, and the expected support from the U.S. did not materialize. Within three days, the invasion was a complete failure, leading to significant embarrassment for the U.S. and strengthening Castro's position in Cuba.