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Birth
José Martí was born in Havana, to Spanish Army Sergeant Mariano Martí Navarro and Leonor Pérez Cabrera, a woman born in the Spanish Canary Islands. He was their firstborn child; José would eventually have 7 younger sisters. -
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Schooling
José Martí attended the Instituto de Havana, where reknowned writer and patriot Rafael María de Mendive became his sponsor and mentor. It was here that Martí's writings (essays, poems, and letters) were first published. -
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Cuban Ten Years' War
A Cuban uprising against Spanish rule tbegun in part by local lawyer Carlos Manuel de Céspedes that erupted into all-out revolution; eventually quelled by the Spanish army and new terms were reached, but Cuba did not gain independence. -
Arrest
Martí, 16 at the time, is arrested. He and his best friend were accused of laughing at a Spanish police officer, causing his home to be searched and a letter he and his friend wrote criticizing another student that joined the Spanish Army was found. Martí was blamed, arrested, convicted of sedition and treason for his writings, and sentenced to six years' penal labor. -
Exile to Spain
After around a year of prison on Cuba's Isla de Pinos, Martí, often ill and injured at the ankles by his shackles, was exiled to Spain by the government. -
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Study
While in Spanish exile, Martí studied at the Central University in Madrid the University of Saragosa, receiving liberal arts and law degrees. He also tutored and continued writing and actively petitioning for the cause of Cuban independence. -
Reuinion with family in Mexico
Martí reunited in Mexico with his family, even though his sister Ana had recently died. He found work at La Revista Universal in Mexico City, becoming a respected poet and columnist. -
Travels to Guatemala and France
Martí then briefly worked in Guatemala City, where he married Carmen Zayas Bazán, before his disagreements with the country's regime led him to leave, travelling to France later that year. -
Return to Cuba
After a brief return to Guatemala, Martí re-entered Cuban life after the end of the Ten Years' War, becoming a teacher, and having a son with his wife. -
Deportation to Spain Again
"The Little War" began in Cuba, once again for independence. When asked to renounce his independent viewpoint, Martí refused, was again accused of treason, and was exiled to Spain again, leaving his wife and infant son behind. -
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The Little War
Another war for Cuban independence, just as unsuccessful. -
Moved to New York City
Martí moved to New York City, linking up with fellow Cuban exiles and spent a year there. -
Started Teaching in Venezuela
Martí was hired as a literature professor in Caracas, and founded La Revista Venezolana magazine there. The government kicked him out for his support of the opposition after less than a year. -
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Martí's Return to New York City
Martí returned to New York after being kicked out to Venezuela; he served as a sort of ambassador for several Latin American nations and wrote editorials and as a foreign correspondent for several magazines and newspapers published internationally. It was here that he published Versos Libres, Ismaelillo, and Versos Sencillos, collections of his poetry. He continued to push for Cuban independence continuously. -
"Liceo" speech
Martí gave a famous speech on this date, calling for support for a full Cuban independence war against Spain, under the motto, "Everyone together and for the well-being of all." -
Cuban Revolutionary Party formed
This party was officially announced at this time; it started to form that January, under Martí, with the intention o ffreeing Puerto Rico and Cuba from Spanish reign. -
"Manifesto of Montecristi" published
With fellow revolutionary Máximo Gómez, Martí wrote this proclamation of Cuban independence at any cost. -
Landing in Cuba
After a failed attempt the previous year, under new "General" Gómez, Martí and a small group of his fellow exiles calling themselves, the "Liberation Army," landed in Cuba. There, they met Major General Antonio Maceo Grajales, amassed a small force, and Martí was named an honorary Major General. -
Battle of Dos Ríos and Death at 42
After a few small advancements, the new resistance clashed with Spanish forces on this date. Martí, against orders, rode into the fray, and was swiftly killed by the Spanish, who took possession of his body.
