October 9th, 1967. Death of a Hero

On this day, Ernesto "Che" Guevara was executed in Bolivia during an attempt to start a revolution. Captured on October 7th, he spent the 8th being interrogated by the Bolivian military. He refused to talk to officers, and only spoke with soldiers. Many of these soldiers reported his lasting pride even in the face of his own death. Before being executed, he asked to speak to the schoolteacher of the village that he was being held hostage in. He was allowed to talk with her. He spoke of how terrible the condition of the schoolhouse was, and how terrible it is that the schools are in disrepair while the officers drive mercedes cars. That is what he fights for, he stated. Shortly after, his fate was decided. When his executor came in, he yelled his final words: "I know you've come to kill me. Shoot, coward! You are only going to kill a man!"

Che's passing was a tragedy. The man was a a leader, a revolutionary and a hero for the common man everywhere. His revolutionary acts have had massive importance to this very day, and he still stands as a symbol for revolution and freedom.