The Bay of Pigs has left deep scars on the collective memory of both Cubans and Americans. For many Cuban exiles, this defeat symbolizes the lost opportunity to liberate their homeland and the pain of losing loved ones in the process.

The Cuban casualties were hundreds of wounded and 157 dead, whom Cubans remembers as eternal heroes of the homeland for their sacrifice.

The cultural and political impact persists. In Cuba, the victory over the invasion has been celebrated as a triumph of the revolution, while in the United States, it left a legacy of mistrust.

An April 17, 1961 map showing the locations of invading forces. Fidel Castro said one invasion force, apparently the main one, struck in southern part of Las Villas Province (1). Another force was reported ashore at the edge of southern Matanzas Province in Cochinas Bay area (2). Western Pinar Del Rio Province (3) was scene of another reported force. Washington exile forces said another force had landed at Baracoa (4), northeast of Santiago. NBC quoted a Cuban exile spokesman as saying invasion operations were moving ahead favorably in Matanza Province (5), the Santiago area (6), with parachutists dropped on the Isle of Pines (7).