Cuba commemorates the 67th National Rebellion Day

On July 26, 1953, a group of revolutionaries under the command of Fidel Castro attacked the Moncada army barracks in Santiago de Cuba and the Carlos Manuel de Céspedes military garrison in Bayamo, marking the beginning of the Cuban revolution

July 27, 2020 by Peoples Dispatch
Moncada Barracks in Santiago de Cuba, where the annual traditional rally is carried out to pay tribute to the heroes and martyrs of the combative actions on the National Rebellion Day. Photo: Prensa Latina

This July 26 marked the 67th anniversary of Cuba’s National Rebellion Day. On July 26, 1953, Commander Fidel Castro with a hundred revolutionaries launched the attack on the Moncada army barracks in Santiago de Cuba, while another group of combatants attacked the Carlos Manuel de Céspedes military garrison in Bayamo. Although the attacks failed, the uprising marked the beginning of the Cuban revolution and laid the foundation for the anti-imperialist movement that defeated the US-backed military dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista on January 1, 1959.

On the occasion, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel recalled the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution and encouraged citizens to defend the legacy of Cuba’s national hero, José Martí, and the revolutionary ideas of Commander Fidel Castro. He stressed on the need to face today’s challenges with the same will as the heroes and martyrs of the combative actions 67 years ago.

“From our homes, let us all work together to make every day of the calendar a 26th, every month of the year a July, and every commitment a victorious Moncada,” tweeted President Díaz-Canel.

The head of state also sent a hug to the first secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba, Raúl Castro, Commander Ramiro Valdés and other combatants who took part in those attacks. “I’m proud and honored to defend the homeland together with you. #SomosCuba (#WeAreCuba) #SomosContinuidad (#WeAreContinuity),” wrote Díaz-Canel in another tweet.

 

Cuba’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Bruno Rodríguez, also commemorated the revolutionary day. “Only the Revolution was able to put an end to imperialist control and social exclusion in Cuba. The events on July 26, 1953, paved the way for the struggle and construction of a more just society. Determination and commitment that the Revolutionary Cuban Diplomats have followed everyday,” wrote Rodríguez in a tweet.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the physical distancing measures in place, for the first time, Cuba commemorated the national holiday without the traditional rally that has been held since 1959 to pay tribute to the heroes and martyrs of those deeds. However, through social media networks, thousands of Cubans remembered the historic actions and paid homage to the revolutionaries.