Ernesto "Che" Guevara Biography

Birth of Ernesto Guevara de la Serna, commonly known as Che Guevara, El Che or just Che was an Argentine-born Marxist revolutionary, political figure, and leader of Cuban and internationalist guerrillas

Enters the University of Buenos Aires to study medicine

Seeks out Hilda Gadea Acosta, a Peruvian economist who was well-connected politically as a member of the left-leaning American Popular Revolutionary Alliance

Establihes contact with a group of Cuban exiles linked to Fidel Castro through the July 26, 1953 attack on the Moncada Barracks in Santiago de Cuba

Guevara arrives in Mexico City in early September 1954, and renews his friendship with ¥ico Lopez and the other Cuban exiles whom he had met in Guatemala

Guevara concludes that the Castro's cause was the one for which he had been searching and before daybreak he had signed up as a member of the 26th of July Movement

Lopez introduced Guevara to Raul Castro who subsequently introduces him to his older brother, Fidel Castro, the revolutionary leader who had formed the 26th of July Movement.

Plans to be the group's combat medic, Guevara participates in the military training with the members of the Movement, and, at the end of the course, was called "the best guerrilla of them all" by their instructor, Colonel Alberto Bayo.

Guevara was to be the groups medic, Guevara participates in the military training alongside the other members of the 26J Movement, and at the end of the course, is singled out by their instructor, Col. Alberto Bayo, as the most outstanding pupil

Rapounds l Castro introduces Guevara to the older Castro brother, Fidel, during a fervid overnight conversation, Guevara becomes convinced Fidel is the inspirational revolutionary leader for whom he had been searching

While in Mexico Guevara joins Fidel Castros revolutionary 26th of July Movement

Attacked by Batista's military soon after landing, many of the 82 men were either killed in the attack or executed upon capture; only 22 found each other afterwards

Only a small band of revolutionaries survive to re-group as a bedraggled fighting force deep in the Sierra Maestra mountains, where they received support from the urban guerrilla network of Frank Pais, the 26th of July Movement, and local campesinos

When the cabin cruiser Granma sets out from Tuxpan, Vera Cruz for Cuba, Guevara is one of only four nonns aboard

When the cabin cruiser Granma sets out from Tuxpan, Vera Cruz for Cuba, Guevara is one of only four nonns aboard. The first step in Castros revolutionary plan is an assault on Cuba from Mexico via the Granma, an old, leaky cabin cruiser

The first step in Castros revolutionary plan is an assault on Cuba from Mexico via the Granma, an old, leaky cabin cruiser

Guevara was instrumental in creating the clandestine radio station Radio Rebelde in February 1958, which broadcast news to the Cuban people with statements by the 26th of July movement

Guevara is tasked with directing a training camp for new volunteers high in the Sierra Maestra at Minas del Frio, Cuba, one of a number of military schools set up by the 26th of July Movement

Guevara plays a critical role in the Battle of Las Mercedes by using his column to halt a force of 1,500 men called up by Batista's General Cantillo in a plan to encircle and destroy Castros forces

Guevara directs his "suicide squad" in the attack on Santa Clara that turned out to be one of the decisive events of the Cuban revolution

Within 12 hours of Santa Clara's caputre Batista goes into exile

Guevara directs his "suicide squad" in the attack on Santa Clara that turned out to be one of the decisive events of the Cuban revolution. Guevara directs his "suicide squad" in the attack on Santa Clara, that became the final decisive military victory of the revolution

Guevara directs his "suicide squad" in the attack on Santa Clara that turned out to be one of the decisive events of the Cuban revolution. Guevara directs his "suicide squad" in the attack on Santa Clara, that became the final decisive military victory of the revolution

Government troops guarding the army garrison at Camajuani desert their posts without incident, and Guevara's column proceed to Santa Clara

Government troops guarding the army garrison at Camajuani desert their posts without incident, and Guevara's column proceed to Santa Clara

Guevara directs his "suicide squad" in the attack on Santa Clara, the decisive victory of the revolution

Che announces over Radio Rebelde that the last troops in Santa Clara had surrendered

Guevara directs his "suicide squad" in the attack on Santa Clara, the decisive victory of the revolution

Within 12 hours of Santa Clara's caputre Batista goes into exile

Che announces over Radio Rebelde that the last troops in Santa Clara had surrendered

Radio Rebelde broadcast the first reports that Guevaras column had taken Santa Clara on New Years Eve 1958

Radio Rebelde broadcast the first reports that Guevaras column had taken Santa Clara on New Years Eve 1958

Signs all Cuban banknotes issued during his fourteen-month presidency with his nickname, "Che"

Signs all Cuban banknotes issued during his fourteen-month presidency with his nickname, "Che". Guevara becomes an official at the National Institute of Agrarian Reform and President of the National Bank of Cuba

Guevara becomes an official at the National Institute of Agrarian Reform and President of the National Bank of Cuba

Guevara helped organize revolutionary expeditions overseas, all of which failed, the first attempt is made in Panama; another in the Dominican Republic

Batista, upon learning that his generals - especially General Cantillo, had visited Castro at the inactive sugar mill, Central Oriente - were negotiating a separate peace with the rebel leader, fled to the Dominican Republic

The Cuban Government proclaims Guevara "a Cuban citizen by birth" in recognition of his role in the triumph of the revolutionary forces

Appointed commander of the La Cabaca Fortress prison

Oversees the trial and execution of many people, among whom were former Batista regime officials and members of the "Bureau for the Repression of Communist Activities"

Castros army rolls victoriously into Havana

Castros army rolls victoriously into Havana

Castros army rolls victoriously into Havana

Marries Aleida March a Cuban-born member of the 26th of July movement with whom he had been living since late 1958

Guevara serves at a western command post guarding against a diversionary landing.

Guevara serves at a western Cuban command post during the invasion emergency.

Attempts to train Simba fighters in guerrilla warfare and revolutionary organization during the Cuban expedition.

Arrives with Cuban revolutionaries to support insurgents fighting the Congolese government in the east.

Believes Bolivia is ripe for Cuban style revolution, establishes an HQ at Nanchahuazu

Arrested while organizing guerrilla resistance in Bolivia & executed

Bolivian Special Forces are notified of the location of Guevaras guerrilla encampment by an informant, the encampment is encircled, and Guevara captured while leading a detachment with Simeon Cuba Sarabia in the Quebrada del Yuro

Guevara is taken to a dilapidated schoolhouse in the nearby village of La Higuera where he was held overnight

Death of Ernesto "Che" Guevara

Executed while organizing guerrilla resistance in Bolivia

Guevaras guerrilla force, of about 50 and operates as the ELN (Ej‚rcito de Liberacion Nacional de Bolivia, is well equipped and scores early successes against Bolivian regulars in the mountainous Camiri region

Castro acknowledges that Guevara is dead and proclaims three days of public mourning throughout Cuba