The whole Cuba celebrates July 26 each year, the National Revolutionary Day honors the day in 1953 when a group of rebels led by Fidel Castro attacked Moncada and Carlos Manuel de Ceśpedes military barracks in Santiago de Cuba and Bayamo, respectively. The goal was to overthrow Fulgencio Batista’s dictatorship, established 1952 through a a military coup.
Although the attacks resulted in failure, this was the first serious strike against to overthrow a government that was at the service of foreign interests, basically US companies. The entire nation learned that there were people decided to fight and die if necessary for the freedom of Cuba.
The 131 combatants, dressed in army uniforms, organized themselves into three groups: the first would direct its efforts to the main building: the Moncada barracks. The rest, headed by Abel Santamaría and Raúl Castro, would try to take the Civil Hospital and the Palace of Justice, respectively.
Fidel Castro’s group was discovered due to an unexpected patrol added for the carnival. A battle ensued with many of Castro’s men killed or captured and taken prisoner. Castro escaped to the hills of the Sierra Maestra but was captured several days later.
Many of the attackers were sentenced to up to 15 years in prison, but amnesty was granted due to popular pressure and the coming presidential elections. The fighters went to exile in Mexico. While in Mexico, Fidel Castro and his followers continued to plan an overthrow of the Cuban government, returning on the Granma yacht in December 1956, becoming victorious in 1959.
Since 1959, Cuba has celebrated July 26th as a public holiday and in 1976, the government added July 25 and 27th to the celebration. On all three days, offices, schools and businesses are closed. Rallies and speeches are held throughout Cuba.
There is a national act where the president deliver a speech to the whole nation. But all the provinces and and municipalities have their own acts.