Ernesto "Che" Guevara Biography and Timeline — Page 2

Second Battle of Pino del Agua

Rebel forces win another important engagement at Pino del Agua during the growth of the guerrilla war.

Radio Rebelde Founded

Under Guevara's supervision, Radio Rebelde begins broadcasting from the Sierra Maestra to carry rebel news and the movement's messages across Cuba.

Battle of El Jigue

Guevara participates during the fighting around El Jigue as Batista's summer offensive begins to fail.

Role range: 1958-1958

Column 8 Assignment

Castro assigns Guevara to command Column 8, Ciro Redondo, with orders to move west into Las Villas and disrupt government communications.

Order to Advance to Las Villas

Guevara receives orders to lead an invasion column westward toward Las Villas province.

Column 8 March to Las Villas

Guevara's Column 8 leaves the Sierra Maestra and begins the difficult westward march toward Las Villas in central Cuba.

Column 8 Reaches Camaguey

Guevara's Column 8 reaches Camaguey during its difficult westward march across Cuba.

Arrival in the Escambray

Guevara's column reaches the Escambray mountains and begins a new phase of operations in Las Villas.

Caballete de Casa Headquarters

Guevara establishes a headquarters at Caballete de Casa while coordinating rebel forces in Las Villas.

Revolutionary Unity Talks

Guevara negotiates working arrangements among several anti-Batista armed groups operating in the Escambray.

Falcón River Bridge Demolition

Rebel operations under Guevara cut the central highway by destroying the bridge over the Falcón River.

Capture of Fomento

Guevara's forces capture Fomento during the late-December campaign that expands rebel control across Las Villas.

Attack on Cabaiguan

Forces under Guevara attack Cabaiguan as the Las Villas offensive closes major road and rail routes.

Battle of Santa Clara

Guevara's forces begin the decisive struggle for Santa Clara, a battle that helps precipitate the final collapse of Batista's government.

Fighting at Capiro Hills

Guevara's forces continue fighting around the Capiro hills while isolating remaining government positions.

Capture of Placetas

Guevara's forces, working with allied revolutionaries, take Placetas during the final Las Villas offensive.

Santa Clara University Operations Base

Guevara uses the university area as an operations base during the battle for Santa Clara.

Social Ideals of the Rebel Army Speech

Guevara delivers a speech on the social aims and responsibilities of the Rebel Army.

Final Santa Clara Garrison Surrenders

The last major government position in Santa Clara gives way as Batista's regime collapses.

El Pedrero Speech

Guevara addresses residents at El Pedrero and links the revolution's victory to social change in rural Cuba.

Cuban Citizenship Granted

The revolutionary government grants Guevara Cuban citizenship in recognition of his role in the armed struggle.

International Goodwill Tour Begins

Guevara leaves Cuba on a government mission through Europe, Africa and Asia to develop diplomatic and economic relations.

International Goodwill Tour Ends

Guevara returns to Cuba after a three-month government mission through Europe, Africa and Asia.

INRA Industrialization Department

Guevara is appointed to direct the Industrialization Department of the National Institute of Agrarian Reform.

Presidential Palace Speech

Guevara addresses a mass rally at the Presidential Palace during a period of political tension.

President of National Bank

Guevara assumes the presidency of Cuba's National Bank after Felipe Pazos leaves the post.

Honorary Doctorate at Las Villas

The Central University of Las Villas awards Guevara an honorary doctorate, which he accepts on behalf of the Rebel Army.

La Coubre Memorial and Korda Photograph

At the memorial for victims of the La Coubre explosion, Alberto Korda photographs Guevara in the image later known worldwide.

Political Sovereignty and Economic Independence Speech

Guevara speaks on political sovereignty and economic independence during Cuba's rapid economic transformation.

Publication of Guerrilla Warfare

Guevara publishes Guerrilla Warfare, setting out lessons he drew from the Cuban revolutionary struggle.

Latin American Youth Congress Speech

Guevara addresses the Latin American Youth Congress on revolution and anti-colonial solidarity.

Revolutionary Medicine Speech

Guevara addresses medical students and health workers on the social responsibilities of revolutionary medicine.

Notes on the Ideology of the Cuban Revolution

Guevara publishes reflections on the ideology and social development of the Cuban Revolution.

Socialist Bloc Tour Begins

Guevara leaves Cuba for an extended economic and diplomatic tour of socialist countries.

Arrival in Beijing

Guevara arrives in Beijing as head of a Cuban delegation during his tour of socialist countries.

Announcement of Socialist Trade Agreements

Guevara reports economic agreements concluded with the Soviet Union and other socialist countries.

Nicaró Nickel Plant Speech

Guevara speaks at the Nicaró nickel plant about production and the responsibilities of workers and management.

Cabanas Militia Speech

Guevara addresses militia members in Cabañas, Pinar del Río, on defence and revolutionary responsibilities.

Technical Advisory Committees Convention

Guevara addresses a national convention of Technical Advisory Committees on industrial organization and production.

Minister of Industries Appointment

Guevara becomes head of the newly established Ministry of Industries.

Role range: 1961-1965