Important Events in Cuban History By spanish Oct 12, 1492 The Island of Guanahani, now Cuba, is Found Aug 25, 1514 The Cuban capital of Havana is founded Oct 18, 1868 Independence from Spain Oct 7, 1886 Slavery is Abolished in Cuba Feb 15, 1898 The USS Maine is sunk in a harbor in Cuba Apr 25, 1898 The United States declares War on Spain Aug 12, 1898 The Spanish-American War ends with the US having won Jun 16, 1900 The first elections took place Oct 10, 1940 Fulgencio Batista is thrown from office Jan 7, 1958 The United States recognizes Castro as the leader of Cuba Jan 1, 1959 Cuban Revolution Dec 26, 1960 Operation Peter Pan takes place where the US gathers 14,000 children to take to the US. The childrens parents opposed the new government. Apr 17, 1961 Bay of Pigs Invasion Jan 31, 1962 The US begins to get information suggesting that Russia is putting missiles in Cuba Oct 14, 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis Begins Oct 28, 1962 End of the Cuban Missile Crisis Nov 6, 1965 The United States gives airlifts for Cubans who want to leave Cuba Oct 16, 1982 Cuba officially has the largest armed forces in Latin America Dec 16, 1991 The Soviet Union is dissolved. Cuban economy is affected majorly. Jun 23, 2001 Castro faints during a speech on TV May 12, 2002 Jimmy Carter (former president) becomes the first US President to visit Cuba Feb 19, 2008 Fidel Castro resigned as President of Cuba