Life and times of a Rebel: Remembering Che Guevara on his 50th death anniversary
Che Guevara was an Argentine Marxist revolutionary, physician, author, guerrilla leader, diplomat and military theorist. A major figure of the Cuban Revolution, a symbol of rebellion and global insignia in popular culture. (Youtube screengrab)
Che Guevara was an Argentine Marxist revolutionary, physician, author, guerrilla leader, diplomat and military theorist. A major figure of the Cuban Revolution, his stylized visage has become a ubiquitous counter cultural symbol of rebellion and global in
Ernesto Guevara was born to Ernesto Guevara Lynch and his wife, Celia de la Serna y Llosa, on June 14, 1928, in Rosario, Argentina, the eldest of five children in a middle-class Argentine family. (Youtube screengrab)
Contrary to the image we all have of Guevara, in his youth he was quite the geek. He loved playing Chess and even entered local tournaments. In between hanging out with his chess buddies, Ernesto would read poetry which he loved with a passion. (Youtube screengrab)
In 1950 Che travelled 4,500-kilometer on a solo trip through the rural provinces of northern Argentina on a bicycle on which he installed a small engine. Guevara used notes taken during this trip to write an account, titled The Motorcycle Diaries, which later became a New York Times best-seller. (Youtube screengrab)
He was introduced to number of Cuban exiles linked to Fidel Castro by Hilda Gadea, his first wife through the July 26, 1953 attack on the Moncada Barracka in Santiago de Cuba. During these times, he acquired his famous nickname ‘Che’ due to frequent use ‘che’ as a casual speech filler to call attention just as ‘bro.’ (Youtube screengrab)
He was the architect of Cuban-Soviet relationship and played key role in bringing Soviet nuclear armed ballistic missiles to Cuba that precipitated the Cuban Missile crises in October 1962. As a result Moscow-Washington hotline was established. (Youtube screengrab)
In June 1955, he was introduced to Raul Castro and subsequently to Fidel Castro by Nico Lopez, a Cuban exile. During his meeting with Fidel Castro, the revolutionary leader, he was convinced Cuban’s cause was the one he was searching. (Youtube screengrab)
In 1965 he went to Congo to offer his knowledge and experience in guerrilla warfare. But he left Congo disheartened due to ill health and inactivity.(Youtube screengrab)
On November 25, 1956 he was member of 82 men who part took in the first assault on Cuba via a cabin cruiser Granma. He was one among 22 who survived the attack and preferred a box of ammunition to medical supplies. This was the defining moment in his life. (Youtube screengrab)
After strained relations between him and the U.S.S.R due to the resolution of the Missile Crisis and Castro’s continued support of the Soviets, Che resigned from all government positions and renounced his Cuban citizenship. (Youtube screengrab)
On March 4, 1960 a blast at Havana Harbor killed more than 76 people, where he personally provided first aid to the injured.| AFP
On October 08, 1967, Guevara was rounded up with 1,800 soldiers and wounded in the Battle of Santa Clara. He was captured and executed by Sergeant Mario Teran, who shot him nine times before declaring him dead at 1:10 pm local time. (Youtube screengrab)
The initial official report stated that he was killed in combat, but post mortem, examination revealed that he was held a prisoner before being executed on 9th October 1967. His body was buried in an unmarked grave near the town of Vallegrande in Bolivia. (Youtube screengrab)
Che Guevara's image is viewed as everything from an inspirational icon of revolution, to a retro and vintage logo. Being viewed as a 'Saintly Christ-like' figure by the rural poor in Bolivia where he was executed, he is considered as an idealistic insignia for youth, longing for a vague sense of rebellion. (Youtube screengrab)
Although his last words are hard to verify, before his execution he supposedly said “I know you are here to kill me. Shoot, coward, you are only going to kill a man.” (Youtube screengrab)
