One hundred and fifty-two years ago, the flame of liberty was lit in the Cuban people, mainly in the rural areas, and that spirit still lingers today, when freedom and sovereignty are accomplished goals, but we are all ready to defend our earned independence and the right to follow the path we’ve chosen.

Short of weapons, but endowed with an historic Cuban feeling, those fighters fertilized our land with their blood and sacrifice.

The rebellious temper of the Cuban people was always present and guided them throughout more than a century until they conquered the true and real independence.

Rebelliousness, but also dignity and resilience were bequeathed by our ancestors, and that goes along with the duty of defending our homeland from the constant aggressions of the United States, whose expansionist desires were stated by our National Hero José Martí.

Ever since the revolutionary triumph in January 1959, which brought about major changes, Cuba has been targeted by a long series of U.S. administrations.

Military, economic, biological, diplomatic and media aggressions are added to the long list of terrorist actions that have been orchestrated in U.S. territory against the Cuban people.

In addition to this, there is a strong and genocidal economic, commercial and financial blockade that has not been able to defeat the Cuban people, since the lineage of Cuban Mambi rebels and so many others who fought for a free and sovereign island is still latent.

The war that began on October 10, 1868 taught us the need to achieve unity as a condition for triumph, and to trust in our own efforts to obtain victory.  This is actually a necessary lesson to bear in mind for present times and the upcoming future, given the hostile policy of the United States that since the nineteenth century has not ceased in its efforts to take possession of our country.

October 10, 1868 marked the course of Cuba's history and was, as the historic leader Fidel Castro said: "...the beginning of Cuban Revolution, because there has only been one revolution, the one started by Carlos Manuel de Céspedes... and which our people are taking forward.