While minor lapses in judgement in our daily lives — whether block our billfold at family or interlock our keys inside our machine — are sure annoying , the stakes are often comparatively small . On uncommon social function throughout history , however , one small trip has end in a derailed mission , massive demolition , or even death .
These are six small lapses in sagaciousness that caused tremendous historic catastrophe :
The Bay Of Pigs Invasion Was Foiled By Time Zones
MIGUEL VINAS / AFP / Getty ImagesCuban counter - revolutionist , fellow member of Assault Brigade 2506 , after their seizure during the Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba . April 1961 .
In April 1961 , the CIA bring together forces with counter - revolutionary Cuban exiles to take in charge a military invasion of Cuba meant to overthrow Fidel Castro ’s communistic regime . When it break down horribly , it cemented its ignominious plaza in American history and provide a large stain on the presidentship of John F. Kennedy , who had approved the operation .
And the reason that the mission flush it so awfully all stemmed from one small error made by its architects .
MIGUEL VINAS/AFP/Getty ImagesCuban counter-revolutionaries, members of Assault Brigade 2506, after their capture during the Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba. April 1961.
Kennedy had authorized a squadron of U.S. aircraft to assist with the invasion by escorting the charge ’s B-26 wedge . However , the B-26s arrived near Cuba an 60 minutes before their escorts record up . Unprotected , the B-26s were well pullulate down by the Cubans and without aerial assistance , the invaders die , with more than 100 of them killed ( and ten time that catch ) .
The reason why the escorts had evidence up belatedly ? The CIA and the Pentagon did n’t realize that there was a clock time zone difference of opinion between Nicaragua , where the escorts had left from , and Cuba .
