Page 38 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Cuba

36 ❯❯ The Top 10 of Everything

Moments in History

c.500 BC: Taíno Culture
1
The Taíno people arrived from
the Orinoco region of South America
on the island they called Cuba.
Worshipping gods of nature, this
peaceful society was organized into
villages led by caciques (chieftains).
1492: Columbus Arrives
2
The Genoese explorer sighted
Cuba during his first voyage and
renamed it Juana. In 1509, Columbus’ War of Independence (1895–98)
son Diego conquered the island and
1895: War of
exter minated the Taínos. Conquistador 5
Diego Velázquez founded the first Independence
town, Baracoa, in 1511. Exiled nationalist José Martí returned
to lead the fight for independence.
1762: The English
3 Though martyred in battle, his forces
Occupy Cuba
gained the upper hand, but were
The golden age of the Spanish colony sidelined after the USS Maine was
ended when English troops seized de stroyed in Havana harbor. The US
Havana. England opened Cuba to declared war on Spain, and invaded
free trade and expanded the slave Cuba, occupying it.
trade. In 1763, Havana was returned
1902: Independence
to Spain in exchange for Florida. 6
Following four years of US
1868: Ten Years’ War
4 military rule, Washington granted the
island its independence. A period of
Landowner Carlos Manuel
de Céspedes freed his slaves and mostly corrupt government followed,
revolted against Spanish rule. while US corporations came to
A guerrilla war ensued, in which dominate the Cuban sugar-based
towns were razed and the economy economy. In 1906, following a revolt
deva stated. Later, US companies against president Palma, the US
bought up Cuban sugar plantations. re-occupied the island for four years.

Capture of Havana by the English in 1762

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