In the early hours of the morning, on a fateful day in July, Fidel Castro and approximately 160 armed rebels targeted the Moncada Barracks, one of the largest military garrisons in Santiago de Cuba. The objective was to seize the facility, secure weapons, and use it as a springboard for a broader revolution against the oppressive regime of Fulgencio Batista, which had ruled Cuba since a coup in 1952. Castro and his followers believed that an armed struggle was necessary to address widespread social inequities, poverty, and lack of democratic processes. As they approached the barracks, they were met with unexpected resistance from the well-fortified soldiers, and the takeover quickly turned chaotic and violent.The assault faltered with significant casualties on both sides, and the overwhelming force of Batista’s troops led to the arrest and execution of many participants. Despite the failure of this initial attack, it captured public attention and intensified the revolutionary fervor across the island. Castro’s subsequent trial, where he famously defended his actions, marked a turning point in Cuban politics and laid the groundwork for his ascent to power. The memory of the Moncada attack served as a rallying cry for his supporters, who would later form the basis of the 26th of July Movement, ultimately leading to the successful overthrow of Batista in 1959, and shaping Cuba's radical transformation into a socialist state.The Moncada attack is often regarded as a moment of inception for the Cuban Revolution, uniting various factions under the banner of radical change, and highlighting the increasingly authoritarian rule in Cuba. This act of defiance, although militarily unsuccessful, ignited a profound sociopolitical movement that resonated with many Cubans, inspiring future generations in their pursuit of reform and justice.