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Oct 27, 1492
Christopher Columbus lands in Cuba
Christopher Columbus lands in Cuba sometime around October 1st. He claims the land for Spain. He enslaves 100,000 Tainos. The Tainos were the native people that had lived in Cuba for centuries before Columbus came. They origianlly called their island Caobana. Tainos were farmers, fishers, and hunter-gatherers. -
Jan 1, 1511
Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar arrives in Cuba
Sometime in the year of 1511, a man by the name of Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar sets sail for Cuba. He came from Hispaniola with the goal of creating the first Spanish settlement in Cuba. He was ordered by Spain to conquer the island. Eventually then in 1514, the settlement of Havana was established. -
Jan 1, 1526
Slave Trade
Beginning in 1526, slaves started being shipped from Africa into the Caribbean Islands. -
Jan 1, 1529
Tainos Wiped Out
After being enslaved by Columbus, the Tainos were forced to look for gold on the island. The Tainos also were forced into burying dead bodies of Europeans. By doing this they caught diseases such as measles and smallpox. This killed about 2/3 of the Taino population. -
Cuba's Capital
In 1607, Havana was officially named Cuba's capital city. -
University of Havana
In 1728, the first university is founded in Cuba, the University of Havana. -
Great Britain Inhabits Cuba
Cuba was under the control of Great Britain for a short time during 1762. It came back under the power of Spain when it was traded for Florida. -
Possible Annexation
In 1805 President Thomas Jefferson considered possessing Cuba for strategic reasons, sending secret agents to the island to negotiate with Governor Someruelos. -
Ten Years War
The first war of independence is fought in Cuba. It lasts for ten years. -
Slavery Ended
Sometime in the year of 1886, slavery was abolished in Cuba. -
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Spanish American War
The United States declares war on Spain after the explosion of the USS Maine down in Cuba. It is a short fought war in which the Americans claim victory. -
Treaty of Paris
After the Spanish American War ended, the Treaty of Paris was signed. Spain gave the United States the islands of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. Also during all of this, Spain decides to make Cuba become an independent country. Cuba did not want to become independent. It was pretty much forced upon them. Now, they are alone and right next to the strong United States without the protection of Spain. Another thing the United States gained was the right to intervene in Cuban affairs. -
Fulgencio Batista is Born
Fulgencio Batista y Zaldívar was born in the town of Banes, Cuba on January 16th, 1901. -
Cuba Becomes Independent
After the signing of the Treaty of Paris, Cuba officially became an independent country. Tomas Estrada Palma becomes Cuba's first president. -
Second President
In 1909 following the resignation of Estrada, rebellion leader Jose Miguel Gomez becomes the second president of Cuba. The United States monitored this election to make sure it was fair. -
New Leader
A man by the name of Gerardo Machado starts establishing a dictatorship by making work harder for the Cubans. -
Fidel Castro is Born
Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz was born in the small, rural town of Birán, Cuba on August 13th, 1926. -
Batista Overthrown
Fidel Castro leads a rebellion against Fulgencio Batista's government. Batista is being supported by the United States, but eventually they switch sides and start helping Castro. Batista flees Cuba for the Dominican Republic.Castro is able to overthrow Batistaa and become the president of Cuba. -
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Cuban Missile Crisis
This event was the closest the world ever came to an end. It happened during the Cold War between Russia and the United States. Both the United States and Russia had nuclear weapons and were ready to use them at any point. Russia started shipping nuclear missiles to Cuba starting in August of 1962. Russia claims that they didn't have weapons, but we knew that they did. Khrushchev eventually proposed removing the nuclear weapons if the U.S. wouldn't invade Cuba. This happens and tensions easied. -
Fidel Becomes President
After leading the country of Cuba for about fifteen years, Fidel Castro officially becomes Cuba's first president. -
A Visit from the Pope
On this date, Pope John Paul II becomes the first pope to visit the island of Cuba. -
Castro Faints
During a televised speech, Fidel faints. -
Hurricane Dennis
On July 7th, Hurricane Dennis struck Cuba leaving 15 people dead and causing lots of destruction. -
Emergency Operation
Fidel Castor undergoes an emergency operation due to his intestinal infection. Raul Castro carries out the presidential duties. -
Castro Steps Down
On February 19th, 2008, Fidel Castro officially steps down from his role as Cuba's president. His brother, Raul, then becomes the new president.
