On Tuesday, February 19, 2008, Fidel Castro announced his resignation from presidency in Cuba after nearly 50 years of Communist rule.

The end of his rule, which was the longest in world history, freed any of his family from taking over if Castro fell ill or died during his reign.

Castro formally stepped aside the next Sunday, February 25, when the new parliament met and he did not accept another five-year term as president of the governing Council of State.

He announced his resignation on an online version of the Havana newspaper, Granma around midnight, but many did not know about it until radio talk show hosts announced it the following morning.

Back in the United States, exiles in Little Havana rejoiced, but remained doubtful about the new government rule. They were hesitant whether it would continue under communist rule or turn to democracy for answers.

Castro seized power in 1959, and since then has become the enemy of ten United States presidents. He has also gone through many invasions from United States presidents to take him from power, and went to the brink of a Cold War with the United States because of nuclear “items” in Cuba. (cnn.com)

Castro took power in an armed revolution that overthrew the dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista, and was shortly thereafter sworn in as the Prime Minister of Cuba. In 1965 he became First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba and led the transformation of Cuba into a one-party socialist republic.

In 1976 he became President of the Council of State as well as of the Council of Ministers. He also held the supreme military rank of Comandante en Jefe (Commander in Chief) of the Cuban armed forces. Following intestinal surgery from a digestive illness, he transferred his responsibilities to the First Vice-President, his younger brother Raul Castro, on July 31, 2006.

On February 24, 2008, the National Assembly elected Raul Castro to succeed him as the President of Cuba. Fidel Castro remains First Secretary of the Communist Party.

Many teachers from Hayes grew up listening and watching Castro on the radio and television. NAME remembers what it was like, and what it feels to know he is out of power.

Castro was 81 when he resigned.