On November 25,  Cuban history and world history was changed.

Fidel Castro passed away on the night of November 25.  Castro was a revolutionist who brought the Cold War into the Western Hemisphere in 1959. He defied the United States for nearly half a century as Cuba’s leader. He dominated Cuba with his strength and symbolism from when he entered Havana and overthrew Fulgencio Batista.

Castro had organized what he hoped to be the continuation of his Communist revolution. He had gotten severely sick so he gave much of his power to his younger brother Raúl, and resigned as president. Raúl Castro has ruled Cuba since then.

Fidel Castro was a reigning leader longer than any other living national leader except Queen Elizabeth II. Castro became an international figure whose importance in the 20th century tremendously exceeded the expectations from the head of state of a Caribbean island nation.