CDR medal "28 de Septiembre" — 30th anniversary of the Comités de Defensa de la Revolución
Entry/Object ID
2025.24.1
Description
Cuban suspension medal. A gilt, slightly polygonal (roughly 12-sided) medallion hangs by a ring from a folded trapezoidal ribbon of pale blue with two narrow orange/gold vertical stripes. The medallion's center carries a stylized device combining the numeral "30" (a sweeping curved stroke and an open ring) with vertically stacked letters CDR, above a small heraldic shield charged with a five-pointed star. A raised legend follows the lower rim.
Acquisition
Accession
2025.24
Made/Created
Place
Country
Cuba
Region
Caribbean, Central America
Notes
Date: circa 1990 (tentative). Identified as the CDR's 30th-anniversary issue from the central "30 / CDR" device; the CDR were founded 28 September 1960, placing the 30th anniversary in 1990. Absent an explicit "1960–1990" inscription, the year is inferred from the device and should be treated as tentative.
Inscription/Signature/Marks
Notes
Lower rim: 28 DE SEPTIEMBRE. Central device: stylized 30 with CDR; heraldic shield with star.
Materials
Material
Metal, Fabric
Material Notes
Materials: Gilt metal (gilded brass or bronze, or gilt-finished alloy); woven textile ribbon (pale blue ground, orange/gold stripes); metal suspension ring.
Technique: Die-struck gilt medallion; ribbon folded over a backing and joined to the medallion by a suspension ring; brooch pin presumed on the reverse (not visible).
Condition
Overall Condition
Fair
Relationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
C.D.R.
Research Notes
Notes
The Comités de Defensa de la Revolución (CDR) were founded by Fidel Castro on 28 September 1960 as Cuba's largest mass organization, charged with neighborhood vigilance and a wide range of community tasks. "28 de Septiembre" is the CDR's emblematic date and recurs across its honors — the Bandera "28 de Septiembre" (top collective award), the Distinción "28 de Septiembre" (individual recognition), and commemorative medals.
The September 28 medal was created in 1981 to recognize members of the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (#cdr ) a neighbor organization dedicated to surveillance and carry other tasks assigned by the state.
