Che Guevara — Timeline
Key moments in the life of Che Guevara.
1928
Born Ernesto Rafael Guevara de la Serna on June 14 in Rosario, Argentina
1952
Completed medical degree at University of Buenos Aires
1952
Traveled through South America on motorcycle, witnessing poverty and social inequality
1955
Met Fidel Castro in Mexico City and joined the revolutionary movement against Cuban dictator Batista
1956
Departed Cuba aboard the Granma yacht with Castro's rebel forces to initiate armed revolution
1959
Cuban Revolution succeeded; appointed Minister of Industries in Castro's government
1965
Left Cuba to lead guerrilla campaign in Congo; operation ultimately failed
1966
Arrived in Bolivia to lead guerrilla insurgency against the military government
1967
Bolivian campaign deteriorated due to lack of peasant support and CIA-backed military pursuit
1967
Captured and executed by Bolivian Army with CIA assistance on October 8