A great illustration of the humanity of the Cuban revolution is the treatment afforded victims of the 1989 Cherbonyl nuclear disaster. The island was one of the first nations to respond to the tragedy and offer help in the form of rehabilitation treatment to those affected, the majority children from Ukraine.

Cuban doctor Julio Medina, coordinator of the program, reported that to date the Cuban government has provvided treatment to some 24,000 children.

Niagara Falls plague to early twenty year old Cuban Poet Jose  Maria Heredia who travelled to Niagara Falls in 1824. There he wrote his brilliant but sad poem Ode to Niagara (link). His face is recorded on a this plaque placed on a railing at the Falls.