Tribute to heroes and martyrs of the homeland. Photo: archive

Havana, Dec 7 (RHC) In public squares, streets, and Cuban avenues, its inhabitants today honor the martyrs of the homeland, a day selected for this tribute due to the historical coincidences of events associated with the island's independence fighters.

On December 7, 1896, the major general of the Liberation Army, Antonio Maceo, who was leading the invasion from East to West that would put an end to Spanish colonialism in the country, died in combat.

Near the area known as Punta Brava, there was a combat between Cubans and Spaniards in which Maceo was hit by several shots.

On the same day in 1934, Frank País was born in Santiago de Cuba. He became the national leader of the 26th of July Movement during the struggle against the dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista (1952-1958).

Frank País coordinated important actions in the clandestine struggle during the process that would culminate on January 1, 1959, with the entry of Fidel Castro and the Rebel Army to Havana; among them the popular uprising of November 30.

In 1989, December 7 was chosen to carry out the burial ceremonies of the combatants fallen in the fulfillment of their internationalist duty in Angola, Ethiopia, and other countries, an event known as Operation Tribute.

Between November 27 and December 4, 1989, the remains of the 2,85 martyrs who fulfilled military missions and 204 in civilian tasks were transferred to Cuba to be buried in the pantheons of the Fallen in each of the municipalities of the country.

From this date on, acts of homage and pilgrimages are carried out in Cuba to honor and remember all those who fell in the wars of independence or international missions. (Source: PL)