The Bay of Pigs is a small inlet located on the southern coast of Cuba. In April 1961, it became the site of a failed military invasion by a group of Cuban exiles, supported by the United States government. The goal was to overthrow the government of Fidel Castro, who had established a communist regime in Cuba. The invasion was poorly planned and executed, leading to a quick defeat of the exiles by Cuban forces. This event embarrassed the U.S. and heightened tensions during the Cold War, marking a significant moment in U.S.-Cuba relations and influencing future American foreign policy.