A portrait of Fidel Castro, a gift from the Soviet Union, is displayed at Castro's birthplace in Biran, eastern Cuba. For years, visits to the homestead were banned by Castro, but since the ban was lifted in November 2002, some 20,000 people have made their way to the restored site.
The schoolroom Fidel Castro attended as a child is seen July 20, 2003, in Biran, eastern Cuba. Castro was seated at the center, where the bell is placed on the chair. Castro's birthplace is now open to visitors, but Castro hasn't even visited Biran since the property was restored. Cuba was preparing to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Castro's communist revolution on July 26, 2003.
Portraits of Fidel Castro's father Angel Castro, left, and his mother, Lina Ruz, are exhibited at Castro's birthplace.
The bed where Fidel Castro was born 77 years ago is seen on July 20, 2003 in Biran, eastern Cuba. Castro's birthplace is now open to visitors.
Fidel Castro's crib is seen in a room at his birthplace in Biran.
Cubans visit the bar where Raul Castro, Fidel's brother, now the country's defense minister and first vice president, briefly tended bar.
The Castro family grave.
Exterior view of Castro's birthplace.
Cubans hoist giant beers during Carnaval celebrations in Santiago, eastern Cuba, July 20, 2003. The banner in the background reads "For a victorious 26," a reference to Fidel Castro's July 26, 1953, attack on the city's Moncada Barracks. Castro's assault failed, but it launched the revolution that brought him to power in 1959.
A view of the the Moncada barracks (background) July 19, 2003, in Santiago de Cuba. Santiago's carnival started that day and this year was especially celebrated because on July 26 Fidel Castro marks the 50th anniversary on the attack he organized on the military barrack in Moncada. Writing in Spanish reads: "Long live Fidel."
Cuban Alexis Bose plays on a homemade drum set July 19, 2003, in Santiago de Cuba.
Cuban group "Chispa Son" play July 19, 2003, in Santiago de Cuba.
Young Cubans wearing carnival costumes walk by the Moncada barracks (background) July 19, 2003, in Santiago de Cuba.
Young Cubans wearing carnival costumes walk by the Moncada barracks (background) July 19, 2003, in Santiago de Cuba.
Writing in street reads: "Fatherland or death."
Cubans loaded a carnival parade element July 18, 2003, in Santiago de Cuba, as the city prepared for its annual carnival.
Cuban Diana Olaz, 15, holds a carnival costume July 18, 2003, in Santiago de Cuba after waiting in a line for a long time.
Cuban Celso Rodriguez and his son, Arlin, prepare a drum for the carnival July 18, 2003, in Santiago de Cuba.
An unidentified Cuban holds a carnival costume July 18, 2003, in Santiago de Cuba.