National Revolutionary Militias
Encyclopedia
The National Revolutionary Militias (NRM) of Cuba
is an organization constituted on 30 October 1960, to enable citizens to defend the country from the threat of military aggression, particularly from the United States
, and for the protection of civilian targets against actions of terrorist groups that operate on the island, from the U.S. and other countries of the Caribbean
. The militias have their origins in a ceremony celebrated in front of the Presidential Palace (presently the Museum of the Revolution
) in Havana
on 22 March 1959. There, Cuban prime minister Fidel Castro
proposed creating the Voluntary Popular Militias, in response to the popular call to prepare citizens militarily to defend the Revolution; the idea definitely took shape in the NRM. On 16 April of each year, Cuba celebrates Militiaman Day, in honor of the combatants of this organization who on the same date in 1961, defended the socialist character of the Cuban Revolution
, that Fidel Castro had proclaimed on 1 January 1959. On 17 April 1961, together with the combatants of the Rebel Army and the National Revolutionary Police, the militias confronted and defeated in less than 72 hours 1,500 mercenaries whom the United States financed, armed and trained to invade Cuba at Playa Girón (Giron beach), in what became known as the Bay of Pigs Invasion
.
In 1986 another organization with the same objectives, but subordinate to the Revolutionary Armed Forces, was instituted: the Territorial Militia Troops (TMT).
After weeks of training, on 27 November 1959, uniformed in wine-red shirts, gray pants and black beret
s, armed with garands that Fidel had sent them, the boys at the University Student Federation (USF) in mass returned to the Escalanita. A whistle was heard and a squad of girls began to perform evolutions. In its journey through San Lázaro street up to the La Punta monument, the student militiamen were applauded by the people. This parade went on to become the catalyst of popular enthusiasm, that was then big, for the constitution of the National Revolutionary Militias.
The graduation of the University Militia in January 1960 was done with an ascent up Pico Turquino
, where they were joined by Fidel Castro, Celia Sánchez
and other revolutionary leaders.
The University Militias then became the 154th Battalion of the National Revolutionary Militias, consisting of students, professors and workers. Presently this unit is known as the 154th Regiment of the Territorial Militia Troops.
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
is an organization constituted on 30 October 1960, to enable citizens to defend the country from the threat of military aggression, particularly from the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, and for the protection of civilian targets against actions of terrorist groups that operate on the island, from the U.S. and other countries of the Caribbean
Caribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
. The militias have their origins in a ceremony celebrated in front of the Presidential Palace (presently the Museum of the Revolution
Museum of the Revolution
The Museum of the Revolution is a museum located in the Old Havana section of Havana, Cuba. The museum is housed in what was the Presidential Palace of all Cuban presidents from Mario García Menocal to Fulgencio Batista...
) in Havana
Havana
Havana is the capital city, province, major port, and leading commercial centre of Cuba. The city proper has a population of 2.1 million inhabitants, and it spans a total of — making it the largest city in the Caribbean region, and the most populous...
on 22 March 1959. There, Cuban prime minister Fidel Castro
Fidel Castro
Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz is a Cuban revolutionary and politician, having held the position of Prime Minister of Cuba from 1959 to 1976, and then President from 1976 to 2008. He also served as the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba from the party's foundation in 1961 until 2011...
proposed creating the Voluntary Popular Militias, in response to the popular call to prepare citizens militarily to defend the Revolution; the idea definitely took shape in the NRM. On 16 April of each year, Cuba celebrates Militiaman Day, in honor of the combatants of this organization who on the same date in 1961, defended the socialist character of the Cuban Revolution
Cuban Revolution
The Cuban Revolution was an armed revolt by Fidel Castro's 26th of July Movement against the regime of Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista between 1953 and 1959. Batista was finally ousted on 1 January 1959, and was replaced by a revolutionary government led by Castro...
, that Fidel Castro had proclaimed on 1 January 1959. On 17 April 1961, together with the combatants of the Rebel Army and the National Revolutionary Police, the militias confronted and defeated in less than 72 hours 1,500 mercenaries whom the United States financed, armed and trained to invade Cuba at Playa Girón (Giron beach), in what became known as the Bay of Pigs Invasion
Bay of Pigs Invasion
The Bay of Pigs Invasion was an unsuccessful action by a CIA-trained force of Cuban exiles to invade southern Cuba, with support and encouragement from the US government, in an attempt to overthrow the Cuban government of Fidel Castro. The invasion was launched in April 1961, less than three months...
.
In 1986 another organization with the same objectives, but subordinate to the Revolutionary Armed Forces, was instituted: the Territorial Militia Troops (TMT).
University Militias
These were actually founded on 26 October 1959, when Fidel Castro raised the need to create the National Revolutionary Militias. The university people, who had attended the event in front of the Presidential Palace, from there set out toward the Hill and the coffee shop of the house of higher studies, between refreshments, with notebook sheets turned into enlistment forms, agreed that the University Militia be named the José Antonio Echeverría Brigade.After weeks of training, on 27 November 1959, uniformed in wine-red shirts, gray pants and black beret
Beret
A beret is a soft, round, flat-crowned hat, designated a "cap", usually of woven, hand-knitted wool, crocheted cotton, or wool felt, or acrylic fiber....
s, armed with garands that Fidel had sent them, the boys at the University Student Federation (USF) in mass returned to the Escalanita. A whistle was heard and a squad of girls began to perform evolutions. In its journey through San Lázaro street up to the La Punta monument, the student militiamen were applauded by the people. This parade went on to become the catalyst of popular enthusiasm, that was then big, for the constitution of the National Revolutionary Militias.
The graduation of the University Militia in January 1960 was done with an ascent up Pico Turquino
Pico Turquino
Pico Turquino is the highest point in Cuba. It is located in the southeast part of the island, in the Sierra Maestra mountain range in Santiago de Cuba Province....
, where they were joined by Fidel Castro, Celia Sánchez
Celia Sánchez
Celia Sánchez Manduley was a participant of the Cuban Revolution and a close friend, and rumored lover of Fidel Castro....
and other revolutionary leaders.
The University Militias then became the 154th Battalion of the National Revolutionary Militias, consisting of students, professors and workers. Presently this unit is known as the 154th Regiment of the Territorial Militia Troops.