Leo Tolstoy was a famous Russian author and social reformer who lived in the 19th century. He was born in 1828 in Yasnaya Polyana, Russia, a small estate located about 100 miles south of Moscow. Growing up, Tolstoy was educated at home by his parents and tutors, and was strongly influenced by his mother, Princess Marya Volkonskaya.Tolstoy's writing career began in the 1850s, when he started writing stories, essays, and plays. His most famous work, the novel War and Peace, was published in 1869 and is considered one of the greatest works of literature of all time. Other famous works by Tolstoy include Anna Karenina and The Death of Ivan Ilych.
In addition to being a great author, Tolstoy was an active social reformer. He was a critic of the Russian Orthodox Church and advocated for the emancipation of serfs, the poor, and women. He also spoke out against war and violence, and was an advocate for non-violent resistance. Tolstoy's beliefs had a significant impact on the development of civil rights movements around the world.
Tolstoy's personal life was tumultuous, and he experienced a spiritual crisis in his later years. He died in 1910 at the age of 82. His influence on literature, philosophy, and social reform still resonates today. His works have been adapted into numerous films, plays, and operas, and his ideas are studied in schools and universities around the world. He is remembered as one of the greatest authors of the 19th century and a champion of social justice.
Fidel Castro was a revolutionary leader who served as the Prime Minister of Cuba from 1959 to 1976 and then as President from 1976 to 2008. He was born on August 13, 1926 in Biran, Cuba. Fidel was the third of seven children born to Angel Castro y Argiz, a wealthy landowner, and Lina Ruz Gonzalez, a servant.Fidel received his early education at a Jesuit-run private school in Santiago de Cuba. He then attended the University of Havana where he studied law. He became actively involved in student politics and was strongly influenced by the anti-imperialist and socialist writings of Cuban nationalist Jose Marti.
In 1947, Fidel joined the Cuban People's Party and in 1953, he led an unsuccessful attack on the Moncada Barracks in Santiago de Cuba. This event marked the beginning of Castro’s revolution. After a brief imprisonment, Fidel was released and exiled to Mexico.
In Mexico, Fidel met Argentine revolutionary Ernesto "Che" Guevara and together they planned and organized the 26th of July Movement, which eventually overthrew the Cuban government led by Fulgencio Batista. On January 1, 1959, Fidel and his rebels entered Havana and he was sworn in as Prime Minister of Cuba.
Fidel immediately implemented a number of sweeping reforms and social programs, including free health care, universal education, and land reform. He also established diplomatic and economic ties with the Soviet Union, which enabled Cuba to become a socialist state.
In 1976, Fidel was elected President of Cuba and he held the position until 2008, when he stepped down due to ill health. He was succeeded by his brother Raul Castro. Fidel remained a powerful figure in Cuban politics until his death on November 25, 2016.
Throughout his life, Fidel Castro was a controversial figure. He was admired by some for his commitment to social justice and his fierce opposition to U.S. imperialism and capitalism, but he was also criticized for his authoritarian rule and human rights abuses. Nevertheless, Fidel Castro remains an important figure in Cuban history and his legacy continues to shape the country today.
