Core Library An Imprint of Abdo Publishing abdopublishing com NEWSMAKERS BY JILL C WHEELER CONTENT CONSULTANT Aviva Chomsky Professor of History Salem State University Cover image Fidel Castro led the island nation of Cuba for nearly 50 years FIDEL CASTRO CUBAN REVOLUTIONARY LEADER
CHAPTER ONE 4
A HERO RETURNS The streets of Havana Cuba hummed On January 1 the country’s dictator with energy It was January 8 1959 had fled Cuba His name was Fulgencio Batista Batista’s critics said he only helped rich Cubans They said he did nothing to help the poor Now thousands of Cubans had gathered They wanted to see the rebel leader who had pushed Batista out of power He was a tall bearded 32-year-old man named Fidel Castro Castro and his followers already had held rallies in several other Cuban cities Now they moved toward Havana the capital Fidel Castro center and other revolutionaries celebrate their victory over Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista in 1959 5
