In 1981, Cuba reported the first hemorrhagic dengue epidemic in the Americas, with 344,203 cases, including 10,312 severe and very severe cases, resulting in 158 deaths. In the 30 years following the epidemic, surveillance, control and research have kept Cuba dengue free; although isolated, interrupted epidemics and transmissions have been reported. In this article, we summarize issues of interest regarding the 1981 epidemic, as well as laboratory surveillance data and various related research results.