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Oct 12, 1492
Christopher Columbus lands
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Sugarcane!
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
Cuban fights for independence from Spain. At least a decade long struggle to gain their freedom from colonial rule. -
Antonio Maceo
Former slave becomes a leader of the Cuban independence movement -
Spanish-American War
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
Cuba holds democratic elections for their first president, but the United States maintains control -
Fulgencio Batista
After a coup, Batista (backed by the US) takes the presidency. In name he is president, in practice he is a dictator. -
Fidel Castro
Castro starts guerrilla movements and leads anti-Batista riots -
Cuban Revolution
Castro marches on Havana and Batista flees the country. Castro becomes leader of a now Communist Cuba
