On this day, May 3, in 1926

The US invaded Nicaragua. After a 16-year occupation, the US returned 9 months later to squash a liberal revolt led by Augusto Sandino. For six years Sandino led an unofficial gorilla war against US military presence until they finally left in 1933. Although Sandino’s army had many small victories, they proved unable to capture any urban centers. Sandino was executed in 1934 by General Somoza, who declared himself president 2 years later and set up an oppressive dynasty that lasted over 40 years. Ironically, Somoza’a son was overthrown in 1979 by the Sandanista National Liberation Front, a revolutionary group that took its name from Sandino.