On this day 50 years ago...

Che Guevara, revolutionary leader of counterculture Marxism, was assassinated. Born in Argentina on June 14, 1928, Guerrillero Heroico life's direction was determined from birth; his liberal family introduced him to concepts of social justice and social revolution from an early age. He demonstrated an above average intellect as a child and grew to love literature, poetry, chess, philosophy, mathematics. Wanting to see some of the world before entering school at the Universidad de Buenos Aires, he toured portions of South America on a motorbike. He resumed this journey with friend, Alberto Granado during his university education. This tour, documented in "Diarios de Motocicleta" taught Guevara the reality of income inequality and the importance of solidarity, and was the catalyst for his attempts at a Marxist revolution. His life later took him to Mexico where he befriended Raul and Fidel Castro. He joined the Castros in their efforts to overthrow Cuba's government, then headed by Fulgencio Batista. He acted as military advisor, prison director, and president of the Cuban National Bank. He returned to South America in the hopes of repeating his successes in Cuba. Unable to garner the necessary following, he instead sparked massive controversy which resulted in his assassination. Guevara was tracked down in a Bolivian encampment where he reportedly said, "Do not shoot! I am Che Guevara and I am worth more to you alive than dead." before being taken into custody and interrogated. Guevara was executed on October 9, 1967. He was informed of the execution just prior to being shot nine times. It is said that Che expressed no sadness for his own death, but pride for the immortality of his revolution.