Ernesto "Che" Guevara was a prominent figure in the Cuban Revolution, serving as a physician, author, guerrilla leader, diplomat, and military theorist. His Marxist ideology and role in the revolution made him a countercultural icon of rebellion, with his image widely recognized and used globally.
June 1928: Birth of Ernesto "Che" Guevara
Ernesto "Che" Guevara was born in Rosario, Argentina in June 1928.
June 1928: Ernesto Guevara's Heritage
Ernesto Guevara was born in June 1928. His father believed that "in my son's veins flowed the blood of the Irish rebels".
1945: Indonesian Revolution
The Indonesian Revolution, a pivotal event in Indonesian history, took place from 1945 to 1949. It marked Indonesia's fight for independence from Dutch colonial rule.
1948: Che Guevara Enters University
Che Guevara began studying medicine at the University of Buenos Aires in 1948.
1949: End of Indonesian Revolution
The Indonesian Revolution concluded in 1949, leading to the recognition of Indonesia's independence by the Netherlands. This marked a significant turning point in Indonesia's history.
1950: Che Guevara's First Expedition
Che Guevara embarked on a 4,500-kilometer solo bicycle trip through rural northern Argentina in 1950.
1951: Che Guevara's Motorcycle Journey
Che Guevara embarked on an 8,000-kilometer motorcycle journey through South America in 1951.
June 1953: Che Guevara Graduates Medical School
Che Guevara completed his medical studies and received his degree in June 1953.
July 1953: Meeting Hilda Gadea and Cuban Exiles in Guatemala
Upon arriving in Guatemala City in July 1953, Guevara connected with Hilda Gadea Acosta, a Peruvian economist. She introduced him to influential figures in the Árbenz government. During this time, Guevara also met with Cuban exiles associated with Fidel Castro, marking a significant turning point in his life.
July 1953: Guevara's Travels and Growing Discontent
In July 1953, Guevara embarked on a journey through Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, and El Salvador. During his travels, he witnessed the operations of the United Fruit Company and became increasingly critical of its capitalist system, believing it to be detrimental to the common citizen.
December 1953: Guevara's Letter from Costa Rica and Arrival in Guatemala
While in San José, Costa Rica, on December 10, 1953, Guevara wrote to his aunt Beatriz, describing his experiences and growing opposition to capitalist exploitation. He arrived in Guatemala later that month, where he was drawn to the leftist policies of President Jacobo Árbenz.
1953: Beginnings of US Efforts to Oust Árbenz
Starting in 1953, under the direction of President Eisenhower, the United States initiated operation PBSuccess, a multifaceted CIA operation aimed at removing President Árbenz from power in Guatemala.
May 1954: US Intervention and the Fall of Árbenz in Guatemala
In May 1954, a shipment of arms arrived in Guatemala for the Árbenz government, prompting a US-backed coup. The US, under President Eisenhower, launched a campaign of propaganda and military intervention that led to Árbenz's resignation in June 1954. This event profoundly affected Guevara's views on the US and its foreign policy.
September 1954: Guevara's Arrival in Mexico City and Medical Work
Guevara arrived in Mexico City on September 21, 1954, where he resumed his medical career. He worked in allergy departments at both the General Hospital and the Hospital Infantil de Mexico, and lectured at the National Autonomous University of Mexico's Faculty of Medicine. He also found work as a news photographer for Latina News Agency.
June 1955: Meeting Fidel Castro and Joining the 26th of July Movement
A pivotal encounter occurred in June 1955 when Guevara was introduced to Raúl Castro, who then introduced him to his brother, Fidel. That night, Guevara decided to join Fidel Castro's 26th of July Movement, dedicating himself to the Cuban Revolution.
November 1956: Landing in Cuba and Early Clashes with Batista's Forces
On November 25, 1956, Guevara, Fidel Castro, and their comrades set sail for Cuba on the Granma. After landing, they faced immediate attacks from Batista's army. During this chaotic encounter, Guevara abandoned his medical supplies to take up arms, signifying his transition from doctor to revolutionary fighter.
1957: Guerrilla Warfare and Media Attention in the Sierra Maestra
In 1957, after regrouping in the Sierra Maestra mountains, Castro's forces, including Guevara, engaged in guerrilla warfare against Batista's regime. An interview with Herbert Matthews published by The New York Times during this period helped raise international awareness of the Cuban Revolution and its leaders.
February 1958: Establishment of Radio Rebelde
Drawing inspiration from his experiences in Guatemala, Guevara played a crucial role in establishing Radio Rebelde in February 1958. This clandestine radio station allowed the revolutionaries to broadcast their message directly to the Cuban people and counter the propaganda of the Batista government.
February 1958: CIA Report on Che Guevara
In February 1958, a CIA report described Che Guevara as "quite well read" and "fairly intellectual for a Latino".
March 1958: United States halts arms sales to Cuban government
In March 1958, the U.S. ceased selling arms to the Cuban government due to the atrocities committed by Batista's forces against rebel prisoners and civilians.
July 1958: Guevara's Tactical Brilliance at the Battle of Las Mercedes
In July 1958, Guevara played a crucial role in the Battle of Las Mercedes, where he commanded his column to stop General Cantillo's forces from encircling and crushing Castro's troops. Guevara's tactical skills during this battle were later praised by U.S. Marine Corps Major Larry Bockman as "brilliant."
December 1958: Guevara's Strategic Victories Lead to Control of Las Villas Province
In December 1958, Guevara spearheaded the final push towards Havana, leading a column of fighters westward. During a grueling seven-week march, Guevara's forces secured a series of strategic victories, gaining control over most of Las Villas province, a pivotal development in the Cuban Revolution.
1958: Meeting Aleida March
Che Guevara met Aleida March, who would later become his wife, in late 1958. They began living together shortly after.
1958: Cuban Revolution's Death Toll
By the end of 1958, the Cuban Revolution had claimed the lives of 2,000 people.
January 1959: Guevara Recovers, Forms Tarará Group, and Writes Guerrilla Warfare
In January 1959, Guevara recuperated from a severe asthma attack at a villa in Tarará. During this time, he formed the Tarará Group, which focused on shaping Cuba's future social, political, and economic landscape. Additionally, he began writing his renowned book, Guerrilla Warfare.
January 1959: Guevara Secures Havana and Batista Flees Cuba
On New Year's Eve 1958, news broke that Guevara's forces had captured Santa Clara. On January 1, 1959, upon learning about his generals negotiating a peace deal with Guevara and fearing capture, Batista fled Cuba with a fortune amassed through corruption. Guevara entered Havana on January 2nd to take control, solidifying the revolution's victory.
January 1959: Revolutionary Tribunals and Public Sentiment
In January 1959, revolutionary tribunals were established to try individuals accused of crimes under Batista's regime and the new government. These tribunals, comprising army officers and civilians, sometimes handed down death sentences, reflecting the public's anger toward Batista's collaborators.
January 1959: Guevara Advocates for Land Redistribution
On January 27, 1959, Guevara delivered a significant speech emphasizing the importance of social justice through land redistribution as a primary goal of the new Cuban government.
February 1959: Guevara's Stance on Executions
In February 1959, in a letter to Luis Paredes López, Guevara defended the executions taking place, stating that they were necessary to safeguard the revolution and were supported by the Cuban people.
May 1959: Implementation of Agrarian Reform Law
In May 1959, the Cuban government implemented a new agrarian reform law drafted by Guevara. This law aimed to redistribute land to peasants and limit foreign ownership of Cuban sugar plantations.
June 1959: Guevara's Role as Commander of La Cabaña Prison
From January to June 1959, Guevara served as commander of La Cabaña Fortress prison. During this period, he was tasked with purging the remnants of Batista's army and overseeing the trials of those accused of crimes under the revolutionary government.
June 1959: Marriage to Aleida March
In June 1959, Che Guevara married Aleida March, a fellow revolutionary. Their honeymoon took place in the village of Tarara, and a civil ceremony was held at La Cabaña military fortress.
June 1959: Three-Month Tour of Bandung Pact Countries
In June 1959, Fidel Castro sent Che Guevara on a three-month tour of several Bandung Pact countries, including Morocco, Sudan, Egypt, Syria, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand, Indonesia, Japan, Yugoslavia, and Greece. This strategic move distanced Castro from Guevara's Marxist views and aimed to alleviate concerns from the United States and some members of Castro's own 26 July Movement.
September 1959: Guevara's Return to Cuba and Mounting Political Tension
Upon Che Guevara's return to Cuba in September 1959, Castro's increased political power became evident. The government initiated land seizures under the agrarian reform law, but offered low-interest "bonds" as compensation, raising concerns in the US. Wealthy cattlemen in Camagüey, along with anti-communist factions, opposed the land redistribution, leading to political unrest and the emergence of groups like the "Anti-Communist Legion of the Caribbean" that aimed to overthrow Castro.
1959: Cuban Literacy Rate Before Revolution
Prior to the Cuban Revolution in 1959, the country's literacy rate ranged from 60% to 76%, with significant disparities between urban and rural areas. Limited access to education and a shortage of qualified instructors contributed to these low literacy rates.
1959: Revolutionary Government Implements Ley de la Sierra
In 1959, the revolutionary government extended the application of the Ley de la Sierra, a 19th-century penal law, to the entire country. This law, previously used in rebel-held territories, allowed for the death penalty for serious crimes committed by both Batista's regime and those deemed enemies of the revolution.
1959: Agrarian Reform Law Critique
In 1959, Che Guevara criticized the Cuban government's agrarian reform law, which converted large plantations into farm cooperatives or divided land among peasants. Guevara believed this reform promoted a heightened sense of individual ownership, thereby undermining collective social benefits and leading workers to seek individual material gain. His deputy, Ernesto Betancourt, later accused him of lacking basic economic knowledge.
1959: Che Guevara's Relationship with Gamal Abdel Nasser
Che Guevara had established a fraternal relationship with Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser since his visit to Egypt in 1959.
March 1960: Explosion of La Coubre
On March 4, 1960, two explosions rocked the French freighter La Coubre in Havana Harbor, resulting in at least 76 deaths and hundreds of injuries. Che Guevara personally assisted in providing first aid to victims. Fidel Castro blamed the CIA, labeling it an act of terrorism. This tragic event heightened international tensions and solidified the image of Guevara as a revolutionary icon, captured in Alberto Korda's iconic photograph "Guerrillero Heroico.
July 1960: Denouncement of US Economic Aggression
In July 1960, in response to the United States' reduction of Cuban sugar imports, Che Guevara delivered a speech to over 100,000 workers in front of the Presidential Palace. During this speech, he condemned the United States for its "economic aggression" towards Cuba.
September 1960: Guevara's Declaration of Marxist Ideology
During the First Latin American Congress in September 1960, Che Guevara openly identified the Cuban Revolution as Marxist, emphasizing Karl Marx as his ideological inspiration. He believed that the revolution's methods aligned with Marxist principles and that its practical revolutionaries were, in essence, fulfilling Marx's predictions.
December 1960: Trade Agreement with East Germany
In December 1960, Che Guevara, in an effort to forge new economic alliances, traveled to East Germany and signed a trade agreement on December 17th. This agreement, while providing some economic relief for Cuba, also increased its dependence on the Eastern Bloc. It was during this trip that Guevara met Tamara Bunke, who would later become known as "Tania" and play a significant role in his life.
April 1961: Bay of Pigs Invasion
On 17 April 1961, 1,400 US-trained Cuban exiles invaded Cuba during the Bay of Pigs Invasion. Although Che Guevara did not play a key role in the fighting due to a diversion, he was credited with helping prepare Cuba's armed forces for the conflict. During this period, he suffered a bullet grazing to the cheek from an accidental firearm discharge.
August 1961: Economic Conference and Message to JFK
In August 1961, during an economic conference in Uruguay, Che Guevara sent a note of 'gratitude' to US President John F. Kennedy for the Bay of Pigs invasion, claiming it strengthened the Cuban revolution. He also criticized the United States' democratic claims and spoke against racial discrimination and the persecution of intellectuals. Despite the antagonism, Guevara viewed his conversation with US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Richard N. Goodwin as profitable.
1961: Cuban Literacy Campaign
In 1961, the Cuban government, spearheaded by Che Guevara, launched a nationwide literacy campaign. This initiative, dubbed the "year of education," mobilized over 100,000 volunteers who formed "literacy brigades." These brigades were deployed throughout the country, particularly in rural areas, to establish schools, train educators, and teach illiterate citizens how to read and write.
August 1962: Soviet Nuclear Missile Deal
On 30 August 1962, Che Guevara traveled to the Soviet Union to finalize the agreement for placing Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba. He argued with Khruschev for the deal to be public, but Khruschev insisted on secrecy, pledging Soviet support if the missiles were discovered. By the time Guevara returned to Cuba, the United States had already identified the Soviet troops via U-2 spy planes.
October 1962: Cuban Missile Crisis
In October 1962, Che Guevara played a key role in the Cuban Missile Crisis by helping to bring Soviet nuclear-armed ballistic missiles to Cuba. This event brought the world to the brink of nuclear war.
1962: Cuban Missile Crisis
Che Guevara played a central role in bringing Soviet nuclear-armed ballistic missiles to Cuba in 1962, leading to the Cuban Missile Crisis.
1962: Great Debate on Cuban Economic Policy
In 1962, the Great Debate on Cuban economic policy began, influenced by an economic crisis and US sanctions. Che Guevara proposed bypassing a capitalist transition and immediately becoming an industrialized communist society through public consciousness and vanguard action. This debate would shape Cuba's future economic direction.
December 1964: Address at United Nations
On 11 December 1964, Che Guevara delivered an impassioned address at the United Nations, criticizing its inability to confront apartheid in South Africa and denouncing the United States' treatment of its black population.
February 1965: Che Guevara's Final Public Appearance and Criticism of Socialist Countries
In February 1965, Che Guevara made his last public appearance at an economic seminar in Algiers, Algeria. During his speech, he criticized socialist countries for their lack of support for struggling nations, highlighting their complicity with Western exploitation.
April 1965: Guevara Arrives in Congo to Support Simba Movement
In April 1965, Che Guevara, under the alias Ramón Benítez, arrived in Congo to support the leftist Simba movement. Despite warnings from Gamal Abdel Nasser, Guevara believed in Africa's revolutionary potential and sought to train Simba fighters in guerrilla warfare.
June 1965: Guevara's Disappearance and Public Speculation
Following his return to Cuba and his controversial Algiers speech, Guevara disappeared from public view in June 1965. Speculation arose regarding his whereabouts, with theories ranging from disagreements with Castro to pressure from the Soviet Union.
September 1965: ANC Launches Operation South Against Simba Forces
In September 1965, the ANC and its allies initiated Operation South to counter the Simba rebellion in Congo. Despite Che Guevara's support and training, the Simba forces faced mounting losses and declining morale, eventually leading to their retreat.
October 1965: Castro Reveals Guevara's Farewell Letter
In October 1965, Fidel Castro made public a letter written by Guevara months prior, announcing his resignation from the Cuban government and his decision to continue fighting for revolution abroad. This letter confirmed Guevara's departure from Cuba.
November 1965: Guevara Departs Congo After Failed Revolution
In November 1965, after seven months in Congo, Che Guevara decided to leave due to the rebellion's failure. He attributed this to a lack of discipline and infighting among the Congolese rebels. He left his Congo diary, referring to the mission as a "failure."
1965: Conclusion of the Great Debate
The Great Debate on Cuban economic policy, which began in 1962, concluded in 1965. The debate focused on whether Cuba should bypass a capitalist transition and immediately become a communist society, a proposition strongly supported by Che Guevara.
July 1966: Guevara Returns to Cuba Before Bolivia Mission
In July 1966, Che Guevara secretly returned to Cuba before embarking on his mission to Bolivia. He visited Fidel Castro, saw his wife, and wrote a farewell letter to his children, to be read upon his death.
October 1966: Che Guevara's Secret Incursion into Bolivia Revealed
French journalist Pablo Daniel Magee's book, published in 2020, revealed Che Guevara's secret entry into Bolivia on October 3, 1966. This information, based on documents from the Archives of Terror in Paraguay, shed new light on Guevara's final mission.
November 1966: Guevara Arrives in La Paz Undercover
On November 3, 1966, Che Guevara arrived in La Paz, Bolivia, under the alias Adolfo Mena González. Disguised as a middle-aged Uruguayan businessman, he aimed to remain undetected as he began his revolutionary efforts in the country.
November 1966: Guerrilla Campaign in Bolivia
Starting in November 1966, Che Guevara's diary chronicled the guerrilla campaign in Bolivia, revealing premature operations, division within the group, and recruitment difficulties due to language barriers.
1966: Reorganization of Cuban Economy
In 1966, the Cuban economy was reorganized on moral lines, emphasizing voluntarism and ideological motivations over material incentives. Intellectuals were urged to focus on creating a positive national ethos. These changes were inspired by resolutions from the Great Debate.
April 1967: Régis Debray's Capture
French intellectual Régis Debray, accompanying Guevara in Bolivia, was captured in April 1967.
October 1967: Capture of Che Guevara
On October 8, 1967, informed by an informant, Bolivian Special Forces located and surrounded Guevara's encampment. In the ensuing battle, a wounded Guevara was captured while commanding a detachment.
October 1967: Final Days and Legacy
By October 1967, Guevara's health deteriorated, with asthma hindering his efforts. His diaries and those of his comrades provided detailed accounts of the campaign, offering insights into the challenges and his unwavering commitment.
October 1967: Death of Ernesto "Che" Guevara
Ernesto "Che" Guevara died in October 1967.
October 1967: Aftermath of Guevara's Execution
In October 1967, after Guevara's execution, a US memo deemed it "stupid" but "understandable." His belongings were taken, some later displayed at the CIA. His body's location remains undisclosed, fueling mystery and speculation.
November 1967: Che Guevara's Death and Display
Following his execution in November 1967, Che Guevara's body was publicly displayed in Vallegrande, Bolivia. The event drew comparisons to Christ-like imagery, further solidifying his image as a revolutionary icon.
1967: Guerrilla Warfare in Bolivia
In 1967, Che Guevara's guerrilla force, the ELN, initiated operations in the Camiri region of Bolivia. They achieved early successes against the Bolivian army, leading the government to overestimate their size.
1967: Guevara's Presence in Latin America Confirmed
During the 1967 International Workers' Day rally in Havana, Major Juan Almeida Bosque confirmed Che Guevara's presence in Latin America, where he was continuing his revolutionary activities.
August 1968: Debray's Account of Guevara's Final Days
In August 1968, Debray, imprisoned since his capture, revealed the dire circumstances of Guevara's guerrilla group, highlighting their struggles with malnutrition, lack of supplies, and illness. Despite this, he portrayed Guevara as optimistic about Latin America's future, viewing his death as a symbolic rebirth.
1968: Creation of Iconic Che Guevara Image
In 1968, Irish artist Jim Fitzpatrick created a striking high-contrast monochrome graphic of Che Guevara's face. This image quickly transcended its artistic origins to become a globally recognized and commercialized symbol of Che Guevara, appearing on a vast range of merchandise, despite Guevara's opposition to consumerism.
1968: Nationalization of Private Businesses
In 1968, all non-agricultural private businesses in Cuba were nationalized, and central planning was done on an ad-hoc basis. The economy was directed towards producing a 10 million ton sugar harvest, which ultimately underdeveloped other economic sectors.
1968: The Legend of Che Guevara Spreads
In 1968, following the circulation of pictures of Che Guevara's death and the debate surrounding the circumstances, Guevara's legend began to spread. Protests against his assassination erupted globally, accompanied by tributes, articles, and poems commemorating his life and death. His image became a symbol of rebellion, appearing in rallies and protests from Mexico to Santiago, Algiers to Angola, and Cairo to Calcutta.
1969: World Tour and Irish Heritage
In 1969, Che Guevara's father commented on his son's Irish lineage, stating, 'The first thing to note is that in my son’s veins flowed the blood of the Irish rebels.' This remark came after Guevara's world tour, during which he embraced his Irish heritage while visiting Ireland and celebrating Saint Patrick's Day.
1995: Publication of "The Motorcycle Diaries"
Che Guevara's account of his motorcycle journey, "The Motorcycle Diaries," was published in 1995.
1995: Revelation of Che Guevara's Burial Site
In late 1995, retired Bolivian General Mario Vargas disclosed to Jon Lee Anderson, biographer of Che Guevara, that Guevara's remains were interred near an airstrip in Vallegrande. This revelation triggered an extensive international search for the remains.
July 1997: Discovery and Identification of Che Guevara's Remains
In July 1997, a team composed of Cuban geologists and Argentine forensic anthropologists discovered the remains of seven bodies in two separate mass graves near a Vallegrande airstrip. One body, missing its hands, was later confirmed to be Che Guevara's through dental records and a tobacco pouch found with the remains.
October 1997: Burial of Che Guevara's Remains in Cuba
On October 17, 1997, thirty years and eight days after his death, the remains of Che Guevara and six of his comrades were laid to rest with full military honors in a mausoleum specifically constructed for them in Santa Clara, Cuba. This location holds significance as the site of a crucial victory Guevara commanded during the Cuban Revolution.
2004: Film Adaptation of "The Motorcycle Diaries"
"The Motorcycle Diaries" was adapted into a film in 2004.
2007: Documentary Alleges Nazi Involvement
The 2007 documentary "My Enemy's Enemy" made allegations that Klaus Barbie, a Nazi war criminal, provided advice and potential assistance to the CIA in capturing Che Guevara.
July 2008: Unveiling of Che Guevara's Diaries
In July 2008, the Bolivian government, under Evo Morales, revealed Che Guevara's previously private journals. The journals, contained in two worn notebooks, were presented alongside a logbook and a collection of black-and-white photographs. The Bolivian vice-minister of culture announced plans to publish images of all handwritten pages later that year.
2008: Che Guevara's Enduring Legacy
In 2008, a documentary highlighted how Che Guevara's image transcended his personal history, inspiring those seeking a better society. His rejection of material comfort resonated with those disillusioned by cynicism and consumerism.
2008: Bronze Statue of Che Guevara Unveiled in Rosario
In 2008, a significant tribute to Che Guevara was unveiled in his birthplace, Rosario, Argentina. A bronze statue, standing at 3.5 meters (12 feet) tall, was erected in his honor, further solidifying his legacy in his home country.
2020: Publication of "Opération Condor"
French journalist Pablo Daniel Magee published his book "Opération Condor" in 2020.