A group of youths, from the Revolutionary Directorate, the armed wing of the University Students Federation (FEU), carried out those actions, with the objective of executing tyrant Fulgencio Batista and a call for an insurrection.

After, the weapons from the Palace’s garrison would be given to the people, who would be summoned by the national news radio station and thus attack other sites in the city, such as the main police barrack to occupy its arsenal.

According to historical notes, through this attack on the capital, young persons cooperated with the guerrillas fighting in the Sierra Maestra mountain range in eastern Cuba, commanded by Fidel Castro.

On March 13, 1957, some 50 youths entered the Presidential Palace amid heavy combat that caused several casualties among the attackers. The dictator, Fulgencio Batista escaped through an internal staircase annexed to his office.

After assaulting Radio Reloj, 24-year-old student leader, José Antonio Echeverría, who commanded this action, went to the University of Havana, where he was intercepted by a police car and murdered on the spot.

Although its objective was not achieved, the revolutionary action has great historical importance, as it raised people’s awareness and increased rejection to Batista’s regime.

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