Cuba pre-revolution

Christopher Columbus lands

Oct 12, 1492

Sugarcane!

Jan 1, 1840

Haitian Revolution causes Cuba to start producing sugar and Cuba becomes the largest producer of sugarcane in the world in less than 40 years

Cuban wars for independence start

Dec 27, 1868

Cuban fights for independence from Spain. At least a decade long struggle to gain their freedom from colonial rule.

Antonio Maceo

Oct 1, 1896

Former slave becomes a leader of the Cuban independence movement

Spanish-American War

Feb 15, 1898

U.S.S. Maine explodes and the war begins; Spain is ousted from Cuba by the United States. (And the US becomes the occupiers)

US keeps control

Dec 31, 1901

Cuba holds democratic elections for their first president, but the United States maintains control

Fulgencio Batista

Sep 4, 1933

After a coup, Batista (backed by the US) takes the presidency. In name he is president, in practice he is a dictator.

Fidel Castro

Jan 1, 1955

Castro starts guerrilla movements and leads anti-Batista riots

Cuban Revolution

Jul 26, 1959

Castro marches on Havana and Batista flees the country. Castro becomes leader of a now Communist Cuba