The Internet Travel Guide "Getting to Know Cuba"

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Fidel Castro

Fidel Castro was born on 13 August 1926 (or 1927) on a finca in Mayari. He was educated by Jesuits in Santiago de Cuba and then in Havana. After finishing school in 1945, he studied law in Havana and became a member of a student organization that protested against President Grau.

Fidel Castro on a road sign

He graduated successfully with the title Doctor of Law and started a law practice in Havana. After Batista came to power in Cuba through a coup, Castro unsuccessfully brought charges against the dictator. On 26 July, 1953, he and 140 other rebels attacked the Moncada barracks in Santiago. The attack failed because Castro accidentally fired his gun too soon. After being imprisoned on Isla de Pinos, Castro was amnestied and went into exile in Mexico.

Fidel Castro

There he enlisted additional opponents of the Batista regime. Having been trained by an experienced general, Castro and his companions prepared for an invasion of Cuba. On 2 December 1956, the rebels, along with Che Guevara, arrived in Cuba on the yacht 'Granma' and started a revolution. After the victory on 1 January 1956, Castro first became Minister of Defence and later Prime Minister.

Fidel Castro at a party convention