Revolution Day ~> the Victory of Ideas

Victory of Ideas
60th Anniversary of the assault Moncada and Carlos Manuel Garrisons

On July 26, 1953 a group of young men and two women led by Fidel Castro attacked the Moncada Barracks in Santiago de Cuba, the second most important in the country, while at the same time, another group attacked the Carlos Manuel de Céspedes Barracks in the city of Bayamo… Although the events of July 26, 1953 were the expression of a military defeat, it has been emphasized that it paved the way for the insurrection against Batista, “the small engine that ignited the big engine of the Revolution.”

Since 1959, Cuba has commemorated this date with mass rallies and speeches by the leaders of the Revolution, especially Fidel and Raúl Castro, in which, besides paying tribute to the men who fell on that day, important national and international events are discussed as well as economic and social development policies. In 1976, with the enactment of the new constitution, July 25, 26 and 27 were established as holidays.

The central rally is held each year in the capital of the province that has obtained the best productive and social results during the year. Along with the moral value of the designation, the central government allocates additional resources to the province, which are invested in the community, such as the refurbishment or construction of hospitals, schools, cultural centers, restaurants, housing, sports centers, etc. Hence, the announcement of the winning province is a much awaited event that is celebrated with demonstrations of joy.

This also explains the paradox of "celebrating" a defeat and that a verse of a song by a popular Cuban band says that "The 26th is the happiest day in history.”

• History Will Absolve Me   Fidel's statement of defense against the charges brought against him after leading an attack on the Moncada Barracks.

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