Chronology

First battle of Pino del Agua, where Rebel Army forces commanded by Fidel defeat tyranny troops

Fidel leaves the Sierra Maestra with his column to head the Rebel Army national offensive, in the direction of Santiago de Cuba.

The Battle of Guisa ends, an important rebel victory that opens the way to Santiago de Cuba.

New guerrilla columns under the commands of the recently promoted commanders Raúl Castro and Juan Almeida, leave the Sierra Maestra, making up the Second and Third Fronts in the other mountainous areas of Oriente Province.

The General Revolutionary Strike called by the July 26th Movement for the entire country fails.

The dictatorship’s army launches a great offensive against the Rebel Army and it is defeated after 74 days of intense battle. During the repelling of this offensive, the most important Sierra Maestra battles also take place, among them Jigüe, Santo Domingo and Las Mercedes, commanded by Fidel Castro. The defeat of the enemy offensive signifies the definitive strategic about-face of the war.

Two guerrilla columns under Commanders Ernesto Guevara and Camilo Cienfuegos leave for the invasion of Cuba’s central and western provinces. Both columns open new battle fronts in October in the central province of Las Villas.

From Palma Soriano, Instructions were given by Fidel from the General Command to the Rebel Army Commanders to continue operations and the people were called to go on a general strike: “Revolution yes, military coup no! To steal the victory from the people will only make the war longer.”
Orders given to Invading Columns No.2 and 8, commanded by Camilo Cienfuegos and Ernesto “Che” Guevara, to continue moving toward Havana.
Entrance to the city of Santiago de Cuba, leading José Martí Column No.1, where he delivered a historical speech from the city hall, in Céspedes Park, announcing the revolutionary triumph, condemning the attempt of a coup d’état and denouncing General Cantillo’s betrayal. In his address to the people of Santiago he claimed: “The Revolution is beginning now. Our Revolution will be no easy task, but a harsh and dangerous undertaking …”

Beginning of his journey to Havana leading the Victory Caravan.
Arrival in the historical city of Bayamo where he gave a speech in front of a large crowd gathered at the city’s main park.

Meeting with Camilo Cienfuegos in a house near Bayamo city’s airport runway, where he gave instructions to Camilo to ensure handing over full military command to guerrilla chiefs and disarming Columbia and La Cabaña units.
Interview granted to Bohemia Magazine where autographed greetings were sent by Fidel and then published in the January 11, 1959 issue.
A message was written by him stipulating that press organs should resume their regular editions.
A message was sent to Revolución (Revolution) newspaper ordering the people to interrupt the general strike.

Arrival of the Victory Caravan in Camagüey where he gave a speech at La Caridad Park.
Interview granted to CMQ radio network in Camagüey.