On this day in 2016, Cuban Revolutionary Fidel Castro passed away. Before the Cuban revolution, US financial interests owned: 90% of Cuba’s mines 80% of public utilities 50% of railways 40% of sugar production 25% of bank deposits In response to Fidel Castro removing the US’ iron grip over the island nation, the CIA launched the failed Bay of Pigs invasion and tried to assassinate him over 600 times. All of them failed. In the first 30 months after Fidel Castro and Cuba’s communists came to power, more classrooms were built in those 30 months than had been built in the previous 30 years. Within the first six months of Castro's government, 600 miles of road had been built across the island, while $300 million was spent on water and sanitation schemes. Over 800 houses were constructed every month in the early years of the administration in a measure to cut homelessness, while nurseries and day-care centers were opened for children and other centers opened for the disabled and elderly. With the arrival of the revolutionary government, Cuban healthcare was nationalised and expanded with heavy investment, bringing free healthcare access to millions. Universal vaccination for childhood diseases was introduced, leading to infant mortality rates plummeting. Cuba's 'army of doctors' is now sent to crisis-hit countries around the world. Since 1963, more than 600,000 Cuban health workers have provided medical services in more than 160 countries. Despite being under the illegal embargo imposed by the US, Cuba now has a higher life expectancy than the US, has more doctors per capita than the US, and is among the top 35 countries for lowest child mortality rates. Under Fidel Castro's rule, UNICEF declared severe child malnutrition to be eradicated.