Today in 1959, in Havana, Cuba

As Cuban Revolutionaries entered the capital, President Batista fled Havana and a military junta replaced him.

Revolutionaries enter Havana on a US-made Sherman tank

Effectively, the Cuban Revolution had begun in July 1953, when 160 militants, reacting to foreign control of the economy and a corrupt government backed by the US, unsuccessfully attacked the Moncada barracks in Santiago. Half died and most of the rest were captured and imprisoned, including Fidel Castro.

Following protests and in an attempt to court legitimacy, President Batista released Castro and the other survivors of Moncada in May 1955. Castro left for Mexico amid rising repression and there met the Argentinean doctor (and self-appointed South American revolutionary) Che Guevara.  Together, they plotted to overthrow Batista and bring “true democracy” to Cuba.

In November 1956, the small yacht Granma set sail for Cuba with a small contingent of 82 troops who hoped to inspire the peasant population to take up arms against their “oppressors.”  When they landed, Cuban troops and plans attacked, forcing Castro, Che, and their remaining troops into the thick forests and swamps.  Without other options, they regrouped and began guerrilla warfare in the mountains of the Sierra Maestra.

Revolutionizes in a US-made Jeep celebrate their victory

And, after roughly two years of privations and continual, harassing attacks against government troops and installations, in August 1958, Castro ordered Che and Camilo Cienfuegos to lead two columns down from the Sierra Maestra.   Short, heavy firefights ensued, but the Cuban troops lacked motivation and many of their own relatives, friends, and neighbors were already fighting with the revolutionaries so they simply changed sides. 

Finally, in late December 1959, Camilo and Che led their guerrilla forces into Havana. Cuban workers and peasants responded to Castro's call for a general strike and the Cuban Revolution had triumphed.  20,000 people had been killed in the liberation war.

Castro, Che, and the leaders of the Revolution

Years of brutal repression and what many would call a betrayal of the ideals of the Revolution would follow.

[January 1, 1959]