Poster published by Revolución newspaper, in July of 1960. Photo: Granma Archives

The dawn is coming; a new assault is approaching: daily life on the island presents 1001 assaults; 1001 Moncadas. It all began one Sunday - July 26 - in Santiago; an assault on the garrison where "powerful dominant forces" were sleeping, and were surprised by Cuba.

That day of that year, the fight began. It was "the first assault on one of the many fortresses that were to be taken." As the young lawyer who led the rebellion said. Inexperience, ignorance, underdevelopment, lack of resources, were all "Moncadas to be taken." Fidel spoke of another bad aftertaste to eliminate: "old ideas, self-interest; the most difficult Moncada to take." A warning that is heard in our days, in another voice: the voice of a man - also clear, lucid as well, forever young; he carries the dreams of the homeland in his eyes, and the white of peace in his hair.

In this complex, challenging world," the man said, "There are risks; and not changing, not transforming" would be "the worst" of all the risks, he warned, and invites us to avoid these dangers. Once again, challenges are pressing: more food, overcoming obstacles, exporting, "doing things right."

Legions of Cubans in the field. This is the option. To mine the soil with seeds, to water it with sweat, to frustrate those attempting to asphyxiate us; in short, another Moncada, daily, urgent, necessary.

Let us charge ahead, cast our lot, raise our shields. There are bullets coming from all sides; satanic hatreds, imperial grudges, opportunism and selective amnesia.

There are plenty of mercenary rats. Unhappy, they cannot stand the nine o'clock applause for our doctors; they do not know what kindness means; they ignore our daring; they cannot understand our resolve. Poor them, they dream of battles erupting and do not see the many battles underway, the thousands of Moncadas. (Granma)