Cuba in 1932

The United States reopened its embassy in Havana today, 54 years after it closed. Here is the New York Times' report, with a very moving video clip by Wayne S. Smith, one of the last living diplomats to see the embassy close in 1961:

U.S. Embassy in Cuba Reopens After More Than 50 Years

By Azam Ahmed

In 1932 Branson and Elsie Decou visited Cuba. It was a turbulent time: the dictator Gerardo Machado was struggling to maintain power in the midst of an economic downturn. (He would be ousted in a US-supported coup the following year.) The DeCous photographed historic sites in Cuba, such as the 16th-century Morro Castle, and also newer sites, such as the new national highway and the Hershey Company sugar refinery.

Branson DeCou images of Cuba, 1932.

Havana street scene, with "Café La Puertorriquena", other cafés and shops

University of California, Santa Cruz. McHenry Library, Special Collections, DC1.815.0038L

Professor Charles Xavier at UC Santa Cruz

In February 1976 five members of England's Royal Shakespeare Company visited UC Santa Cruz for three days. They offered workshops to students in English literature and theater arts, and performed programs for the Santa Cruz community. The actors were Bernard Lloyd, Charles Keating, Lisa Harrow, Tony Church and Patrick Stewart. Although he continues his brilliant stage career, Stewart is also famous now for his roles as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987-1994), and Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men film series (2000- ).

University of California, Santa Cruz. McHenry Library, Special Collections, UA 50 neg_sc5966a_09

The photographs in our collection were taken on behalf of the Public Information Office on February 20, 1976, and show the actors with students.

Royal Shakespeare Company actors visit UCSC