Reversing the victorious “Caravan of Freedom” march he and his revolutionary forces made toward Havana after defeating the U.S.-backed Fulgencio Batista in 1959, the cremated remains of national hero Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz, who died Nov. 25 at the age of 90, are being taken from Havana to Santiago de Cuba for final rites Dec. 4. The two-day trek, about 560 miles, will give Cubans along the length of most of the country the opportunity to pay their respects, officials said.

Castro’s leadership of the Republic of Cuba (as prime minister from 1959 to 1976, and as president from 1976 to 2006) shook up the world—causing political, economic and even military alignments and realignments North and South, East and West, while supporting humanitarian efforts and anti-imperialist and independence movements especially in the developing world.

Drawing on their own personal experience, Leid Stories listeners discuss the impact Castro and Cuba have had on them.