HAVANA, Nov. 7 (Xinhua)-- Cuba marked on Tuesday the 100th anniversary of the "Great October Socialist Revolution" in Russia which gave birth to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR).
The main celebration took place at Havana Theater "Karl Marx" with a political and cultural gala chaired by Cuban President Raul Castro. Russian Ambassador to Cuba Mikhail Kaminin, senior officials, diplomats and 4,500 people attended the event.
In his speech, Jose Ramon Machado Ventura, vice president and second secretary of the Cuban Communist Party, said that the Great Socialist October Revolution marked the beginning of a new era for humanity, and led to the creation of the first socialist state.
He warned people against the current trend to diminish the historic role of the Soviet Revolution and its leader Vladimir Lenin, as well as its "undeniable" influence in the emergence of other socialist revolutions.
Machado underlined the contribution of the USSR to the world, saying that humanity should be eternally grateful for its sacrifice to the defeat of Nazism.
During the event were shown videos narrating the history of Russia and the Soviet Union, the struggle against imperialist powers, the sacrifices in defeating the aggression of Nazi Germany, and the friendship and mutual support between the USSR and the revolutionary Cuba.
The 100th anniversary of "Red October" were celebrated throughout the island-nation with army leaders participated in a political and military ceremony at the Mausoleum to the Unknown Soviet Soldier on the outskirts of Havana earlier on Tuesday.
Brigade General Arnaldo Tamayo said that the Cuban Revolution is a legitimate heir of the October Revolution, after laying a wreath before the tombs of Soviet soldiers fallen in Cuba.
At Lenin Hill in the Cuban capital, people gathered to recall the influence of the Soviet revolution on the nation's social movements since its very beginning.
"The legacy of the Great October Socialist Revolution convenes us today," said Granma, the official newspaper of the Cuban Communist Party.
The Great October Socialist Revolution began on Oct. 25, 1917, according to the Julian calendar, while most of the world was using the Gregorian calendar. That's why the revolution is celebrated on Nov. 7.
After the triumph of the Cuban Revolution in 1959, the URSS supported the young nation with military supplies and other resources, and became its best friend until its disintegration in January 1991.
Former Cuban President Fidel Castro has said that "without the existence of the Soviet Union, it would have been impossible for the existence of the Cuban Revolution."
During the 38 years of friendship and cooperation, thousands of young Cubans graduated from Russian universities, contributing greatly to the economic development of the Caribbean nation.
For the same reason, mastering the Russian language and familiarity with Russian culture are very common among Cuban people over the age of 40.
About 15,000 Cubans reportedly are descendent from mixed families made up of Cubans and those from diverse Soviet republics.
