After being struck square in the skull by an alpine climbing axe, most people fall over and die. Leon Trotsky was of a different nature. After his attacker, a man by the name of Ramón Mercader, pierced his skull, Trotsky proceeded to spit on him and throw all he could find. As the guards who were standing by rushed in and grabbed the attacker, Trotsky shouted, "Do not kill him, this man has a story to tell!"
Leon Trotsky was a man who lived and died with faith in a communist future for mankind. He was actively involved in the communist politics of the Soviet Union, and even acquired followers: “Trotskyists”. After years of devotion, chaos and hard work, Trotsky and his family were expelled from the Soviet in 1929.

For six years they moved all over the world, never finding a permanent home. Then in 1936, with the help of Diego Rivera, they gained asylum in Mexico. Trotsky and his wife Natalia made their home in Coyoacán, near Mexico City. He remained friends with Diego Rivera until rumors of an affair between Trotsky and Diego’s wife Frida Kahlo arose. Two paintings were created during this friendship, though only one, “Man, Controller of the Universe”, remains today. Trotsky also published a few books on communism and an autobiography “My Life.” During his life in Mexico Trotsky also managed to collect cacti and tend to his rabbits, despite numerous attempts on his life.

Often called “the little fortress,” Trotsky’s house still exists, perfectly preserved and open to the public. In the yard, the man himself is buried, under hammer and sickle and Soviet flag. Though assassinated before able to use this suicide note, he said this: “I can see the bright green strip of grass beneath the wall, and the clear blue sky above the wall, and sunlight everywhere. Life is beautiful. Let the future generations cleanse it of all evil, oppression and violence, and enjoy it to the fullest”.

Trotsky took is last breath on August 21, 1940 at the ripe age of 60.