In a ceremony at the Santa Ifigenia cemetery in the eastern city of Santiago de Cuba, Castro placed Cespedes’ remains at a new location situated next to the island’s national hero, Jose Marti.

Previously, the memorial for Cespedes, known as the “Father of the Homeland,” was at another location which is known as the “patrimonial area” at the center of the cemetery.

Meanwhile, a new burial place was also erected for Mariana Grajales, mother of several independence war fighters including the most prominent one, Antonio Maceo who fought in two of the three liberation wars.

Grajales’ remains were placed at her memorial by Teresa Amarelle, secretary general of the Cuban Women’s Federation.

Eusebio Leal, a prominent Cuban historian, said the ceremony was “historic” and happens once in a lifetime to honor patriots that sacrificed their own lives for the good of the nation.

“Cespedes was the first patriot to fight for our independence and led a historic declaration to start the first liberation war. He broke off with his family history and economic well-being for the good and future of the nation,” he said.

On this day in 1868, Cespedes freed his slaves from his plantations in eastern Cuba and led a movement which declared its independence from Spain and started the Ten Years’ War.

Meanwhile, Leal highlighted Mariana Grajales’ courage as a mother who always put the island’s independence in mind and sent off several of her sons to fight in the liberation wars.

“She gave birth to 14 children whom she raised firmly and were taught to love their homeland,” he added.

After the ceremony, Castro and other top government and Communist Party officials paid tribute to Cespedes and Grajales at their new burial sites. The head of state also placed flowers at the memorials of Jose Marti and Cuban Revolution founder and his brother, Fidel Castro, whose remains are located at the same cemetery.