Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz was born on August 13, 1926 in Birán, Cuba. He was the third of seven children born to Angel Castro y Argiz and Lina Ruz Gonzales. His father owned the large sugar plantation where his family lived. During his early school years, Fidel proved to be an intellectually-gifted student, although he was more interested in sports than schoolwork. He attended a high school run by Jesuit priests. He often caused …showed first 75 words of 873 total…

…showed last 75 words of 873 total…partner. In a "Special Period in Peacetime," Cuba's economy was in a state of emergency that lasted for ten years. Food was scarce and, but the rations were continuously getting cut. Soviet-made supplies, such as cars and televisions, were no longer available. In 1993, Castro was forced to allow some capitalism, leading to the slow recovery of the Cuban economy. Castro, now 79, remains Cuba's president today, and life in Cuba today still continues to be difficult.