1. Operation Pedro Pan
One way to America

2. Operation Pedro Pan
Florida
Cuba

3. Operation Pedro Pan
Cuba is the largest island in the West Indies It is located just 92 miles from Florida.

4. Cuba, 1959
In a political revolution led by Fidel Castro, Cuba was transformed into a one-party, communist country
Private property and businesses were taken by the government.
Opponents to the new government were imprisoned or executed; many left the country.

5. Parents panicked
Rumors were soon heard that the government would have legal authority over children and that parents would lose their rights.
There were reports of children being sent to the Soviet Union for communist indoctrination, and the creation of government-
run childcare centers.

6. Operation Pedro Pan
Some parents began sending their children to the U.S. for protection, believing that they would be separated for only a short while.
Over 14,000 Cuban children made their way to the United States
About 60% were teenage boys
Lasted from Dec 1960 to Oct 1962
9/16/2019

7. Where did the children go?
Some of the children went to live
with relatives living in the U.S.
Others were sent to live with foster families, juvenile homes, or orphanages.
Around half the Pedro Pan children met relatives at the Miami airport. Most of the rest went to camps around Miami and many were sent to foster homes and group homes, in 30 states, around the country.  Many drifted back to Miami eventually, and many others settled as adults where they were sent as Pedro Pans or elsewhere.   Fortunately, nearly all of the children were reunited with their parents in America.  For some it took a few weeks for others it took several months or years. 
9/16/2019

8. Did they ever see their families again?
Almost half the children were reunited with their families in less than a year.
For some, the separation lasted for years.
Some children did not see their parents again until they were adults.

9. Pedro Pan children today
Many have become successful business-people, educators, lawyers, judges, and entertainers
Florida Senator Mel Martinez was a Pedro Pan child
American singer Tori Amos wrote and recorded a song, “Operation Peter Pan”