Cuba staged its major annual observance July 26 event in Santiago de Cuba.
This highlights 73 years following the 1953 Moncada Barracks attack.
Raúl Castro was not present.
President Miguel Díaz-Canel addressed the U.S. government at the event.
He claimed Washington tried to destroy Cuba and occupy it.
Residents in Havana got ready for the ceremonies.
They did this still with serious water shortages, caused by persistent power shortages.