Havana, January 9 (RHC)-- Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel recalled on Tuesday when the Freedom Caravan entered Havana led by revolutionary leader Fidel Castro in January 1959. 

In a Twitter post, the Cuban leader noted: ”The rebels arrived in the capital, and the population followed the Caravan to the former Columbia military barracks.  There, Fidel conversed with the people.  A dove perched on his shoulder and honesty in his words marked January 8th as the happiest day in Havana's history.”

At the triumph of the Revolution on January 1, 1959, many Cubans lived in absolute misery, thousands of people were dying of preventable diseases, the illiteracy rate was astronomical, unemployment was a constant, and racial and gender discrimination was widespread.

Thanks to the humanist social programs spearheaded by Fidel Castro, education across all levels is free and universal in Cuba.  The State also provides subsidies for key sectors including sports and culture. 

Free quality health care is guaranteed to all citizens, with more than 13,000 medical institutions currently serving the entire population, staffed by over 94,000 doctors, representing 8.2 for every 1,000 inhabitants. 

At the close of 2018, the second consecutive year, with four fewer deaths than in 2017, Cuba registered the lowest infant mortality rate in its history, at 4.0 per 1,000 live births.