History Daily 1251: The Assassination of the Mirabal Sisters
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Nov 25, 2025 In 1960, three sisters were brutally murdered in the Dominican Republic under orders from President Trujillo. The podcast dives into their courageous journey from a chilling encounter with Trujillo to becoming symbols of resistance. It highlights their involvement with the June 14th Movement and the harrowing events leading up to their ambush. The aftermath of their assassination ignited a powerful opposition that ultimately contributed to Trujillo's downfall. A gripping tale of bravery and sacrifice unfolds in this dark chapter of history.
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Roadblock That Ended In Murder
- On November 25, 1960, Minerva Mirabal sat between her sisters in a jeep returning from visiting their imprisoned husbands.
- Soldiers stopped them at a roadblock and within hours their bodies were found in a ravine, revealing a political killing rather than an accident.
Trujillo's Advance At A Party
- Minerva once escaped President Rafael Trujillo's unwanted attention at a party, triggering harassment and short imprisonment for her and her father.
- That incident escalated state surveillance and contributed to the Mirabals' transformation into symbols of opposition.
Reign Built On Terror And Personality
- Trujillo ruled through a brutal cult of personality and mass violence, including the 1937 massacre on the Haiti border.
- His pattern of repression and terror set the context in which resistance movements like the Mirabals' arose.