Timeline of Cuban history

This is atimeline of Cuban history,comprising important legal and territorial changes and political events inCubaand its predecessor states. To read about the background to these events, seeHistory of Cuba.See also thelist of colonial governors of Cubaandlist of presidents of Cuba.

This is adynamic listand may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help byadding missing itemswithreliable sources.

15th century

Year	Date	Event
1492	27 October	Christopher Columbusarrives in Cuba and claims the island for Spain.

16th century

Year	Date	Event
1508		Sebastián de Ocampocircumnavigates Cuba, confirming that it is an island.
1510		Spanish set out fromHispaniola.The conquest of Cuba begins.
1511		The first governor of Cuba, the Spanish conquistadorDiego Velázquez de Cuéllarleads a group of settlers inBaracoa.
1512		Indigenous Cuban resistance leaderHatueyis burned at the stake.
1519		Havanafounded as San Cristóbal de la Habana (north coast)
1523		EmperorCharles Vauthorizes 4,000 gold pesos for the construction of cotton mills.
1527		The first African slaves arrive in Cuba.
1532		The first slave rebellion is crushed.
1537		A French fleet briefly occupiesHavana.
		French corsairsblockadeSantiago de Cuba.
1542		The Spanish crown abandons theencomiendacolonial land settlement system.
1553		TheGovernor of Cubarelocates to Havana.
1555		French campaign against the Sudan usam
1578		French corsairs plunderBaracoa.
1586		The EnglishprivateerFrancis Drakelands at Cape San Antonio but does not attack.
1597		Construction of theMorro Castle fortressis completed above the eastern entrance to Havana harbor.

17th century

Year	Date	Event
1603		Authorities decree that the sale of tobacco to foreigners is punishable by death.
1607		Havana is named capital of Cuba.
1628		A Dutch fleet led byPiet Heynplunders the Spanish fleet in Havana harbor.
1649		An epidemic ofyellow feverkills a third of the island's European population.
1662		An English fleet captained byChristopher Myngscaptures Santiago de Cuba to open up trade withJamaica.
1670		The English withdraw after Spain recognises England's ownership of Jamaica.
		Francisco Rodríguez de LedesmabecomesGovernor of Cuba.He serves for ten years.

18th century

Year	Date	Event
1728		TheUniversity of Havanais founded.
1734		Juan Francisco de Güemesbegins a 12-year tenure asGovernor of Cuba.
1741		British AdmiralEdward Vernonbriefly capturesGuantánamo Bay,renaming it Cumberland Bay, during theWar of Jenkins' Ear.His troops withdraw after being decimated by fevers and raids from Spanish troops.
1747		Francisco Cajigal de la Vegabegins a 13-year tenure asGovernor of Cuba.
1748		Construction ofHavana cathedralis completed.
	12 October	Battle of Havana.Skirmishes between British and Spanish fleets end indecisively on a strategic level.
1762	5 March	A massive British expedition leavesPortsmouthto capture Havana.
	30 July	British troopscapture Havanaduring theSeven Years' War.
1763		British troops suffer atrocious losses to disease. They cede Cuba to Spain in theTreaty of Paris.
1793		Some 30,000 French refugees from a slave rebellion inSaint-Domingue,which becomes theHaitian revolution,arrive in Cuba.
1799		Salvador de Muro y SalazarbecomesGovernor of Cuba1799–1812.

19th century

Year	Date	Event
1812		Juan Ruíz de Apodacabecomes governor of Cuba 1812–17.
1819	22 April	Settlers from Bordeaux and Louisiana found the first European settlement atCienfuegos.
1843		Leopoldo O'Donnell, Duke of Tetuanbecomes governor of Cuba 1843–48.
1844		Known as theYear of the Lash,when an uprising of black slaves was brutally suppressed.
1851		ThefilibusteringLopez Expeditionwas defeated by Spanish authorities.
1853	28 January	José Martíis born in Havana.
1868		The first war of Cuban independence, also known as theTen Years' War,begins. It lasts until 1878.
	10 October	Revolutionaries under the leadership ofCarlos Manuel de Céspedesproclaim Cuban independence.
1869	10 April	An assembly of rebels against Spanish rule adopts theGuáimaro Constitution,which remains nominally in effect until the end of the Ten Years' War.
1878	10 February	ThePact of Zanjón,promising the end of slavery in Cuba, ends the Ten Years' War.
1879	August	A second uprising ( "The Little War" ), engineered byAntonio MaceoandCalixto García,begins. It is quelled by superior Spanish forces in the autumn of 1880.
1886	7 October	Slaveryis abolished in Cuba.
1895	24 February	The Cuban revolution is relaunched under the leadership ofJosé Martíand GeneralMáximo Gómez.
	19 May	José Martí is killed by Spanish troops at theBattle of Dos Ríos.
	September	Spanish Captain-GeneralArsenio Martínez Camposis defeated at Peralejo and leaves Cuba in January 1896.
1896		Cuban rebels led byAntonio MaceoandMáximo Gómezexecute a successful invasion along the length of the island. Maceo is killed by Spanish forces in December.
1897		Calixto Garciatakes a series of strategic fort complexes in the East, leaving the Spanish confined to coastal cities there.
1898	15 February	The battleshipUSSMaineexplodes and sinks while anchored in Havana harbor.
	10 December	TheTreaty of Parisbetween Spain and the U.S. ends theSpanish–American War.Spain relinquishes sovereignty over Cuba.
1899	1 January	The Spanish colonial government withdraws and the last captain General Alfonso Jimenez Castellano hands over power to the North American Military Governor, GeneralJohn Ruller Brooke.
	23 December	Leonard Woodbecomes U.S. Provisional Governor of Cuba.

20th century

Year	Date	Event
1901	5 March	The U.S.Platt Amendmentstipulates the conditions for the withdrawal of U.S. troops.
	12 June	The Constitutional Convention adopts the1901 Constitutionin its final form, including the provisions of thePlatt Amendment.
1902	20 May	The Cuban Republic is established under the1901 Constitution.Tomás Estrada Palmatakes office as president.
1906	29 September	Under attack from defeated political rivals, PresidentTomás Estrada Palmaseeks U.S. intervention and U.S. troops reoccupy Cuba under Provisional GovernorWilliam Howard Taft.
	13 October	Charles Magoonbecomes Provisional Governor of Cuba
1909	28 January	U.S. occupation ends.José Miguel Gómezof the Liberal Party becomes president.
1912	May–June	The Gómez government suppresses theNegro Rebellion,a revolt on the part ofAfro-Cubans.
1913	20 May	The presidency ofMario García Menocalbegins.
1918	7 April	Cuba enters World War I on the side of the Allies. Upon Menocal's reelection,José Miguel Gómezand other Liberals launch a revolt known as theChambelona War.The U.S. intervenes on behalf of Menocal's government.
1921	20 May	Alfredo Zayasbecomes president.
1925	23 March	By theHay-Quesada Treaty,the U.S. recognizes Cuban sovereignty over theIsle of Pines.
	20 May	Gerardo Machadobecomes president.
1926	13 August	Fidel Castrois born in the province ofHolguín.
1928	10 January	Julio Antonio Mella,a founder of the Communist Party in Cuba, is murdered in Mexico.
	14 June	Ernesto Guevara de la Serna,known as Che Guevara, is born inRosario,Argentina.
1931	10 August	Old Mambi warriorsCarlos MendietaandMario García Menocalland forces at Rio Verde in an attempt to overthrowGerardo Machado.They are defeated by 14 August in military operations that include the first use of military aviation in Cuba.
1933	12 August	Gerardo Machadois forced to leave Cuba in the face of violent opposition on the part ofABCandAntonio Guiteras Holmes,a general strike, and pressure from senior officers of Cuban Armed Forces and U.S. AmbassadorSumner Welles.A provisional government is established, withCarlos Manuel de Céspedes y Quesadaas president.
	4 September	A group of military officers that includesFulgencio Batistalaunches theSergeants' Revoltand topples the provisional government.
	5 September	The five-day, five-man coalition government called thePentarchy of 1933lasted through 9 Sept..
	10 September	Ramón Grau(one of the pentarchy) becomes president and continues theOne Hundred Days Government.
	2 October	Enlisted men and sergeants loyal to Batista, joined by radical elements, force Army Officers from the Hotel Nacional inheavy fighting.
	9 November	Blas Hernández,his followers, and some ABC members make a stand in old Atarés Castle. They are defeated by Batista loyalists. Hernández surrenders and is murdered.
1934	16 January	The One Hundred Days Government ends;Carlos Heviaserves briefly as president.
	18 January	Manuel Márquez Sterlingis president for a few hours, followed byCarlos Mendieta.
	16 June	ABC holds a demonstration at the Havana festival and its march is attacked by radical forces, including those ofAntonio Guiteras.
1935	8 May	Leading radicalAntonio Guiterasis betrayed and dies fighting Batista forces.
1938	September	The Communist party is legalized again.
1940	10 October	The1940 Constitution,signed by the members of the Constitutional Assembly on 1 July, takes effect. It is suspended in 1952.
1941	9–11 December	Cuba declares war on Japan, Germany, and Italy.
1943		The Soviet Union opens an embassy in Havana. Its first ambassador isAndrei Gromyko.
1951	5 August	Eduardo Chibás,leader of theOrtodoxo partyand mentor ofFidel Castro,commits suicide during a live radio broadcast.
1952	10 March	Former president Batista, supported by the army, seizes power once more. Ex-president Prío exiled to Miami, US.
1953	26 July	Some 160 revolutionaries under the command of Fidel Castro launch an attack on theMoncada barracksinSantiago de Cubaand Cespedes barracks inBayamo
	16 October	On trial for his role in the attack on the Moncada barracks, Fidel Castro defends himself with a speech later published as "History Will Absolve Me".
1954	September	Che Guevara arrives in Mexico City.
	November	Batista dissolves parliament and is elected constitutional president unopposed.
1955	May	Batista issues an amnesty that frees Fidel and other members of his movement from prison.
	June	Brothers Fidel andRaúl Castroare introduced to Che Guevara in Mexico City.
1956	29 April	Autentico Assault onGoicuria Barracksin Matanzas fails.
	November	The yachtGranmasets out from Mexico to Cuba with 82 men on board, including Raúl Castro, Che Guevara andCamilo Cienfuegos.
	2 December	TheGranmalands inOriente Province.
1957	17 January	Castro's guerrillas score their first success by sacking an army outpost on the south coast, and start gaining followers in both Cuba and abroad.
	13 March	University students mount an attack on the Presidential Palace in Havana. Batista forewarned. Attackers mostly killed, others flee and are betrayed.
	28 May	Castro's 26 July movement, reinforced by militia led by Frank Pais, overwhelm an army post in El Uvero.
	19 July	Calixto Sánchez Whiteleads a landing from the boatCorinthiaatCabonicoin north Oriente ofAuténticoand are defeated.
	30 July	Local police killFrank País,a leader of the 26 July movement, in the streets ofSantiago de Cuba.
	5 September	Forces loyal to Batista crush a naval revolt at Cayo Loco Naval Base inCienfuegos.
1958	February	Raúl Castro takes leadership of about 500 pre-existingEscopeterosguerrillas and opens a front in the Sierra de Cristal on Oriente's north coast.
	13 March	U.S. suspends shipments of arms to Batista's forces.
	17 March	Castro calls for a general revolt.
	9 April	A general strike, organized by the 26 July movement, is partially observed.
	May	Batista sends an army of 10,000 into theSierra Maestrato destroy Castro's 300 armed guerrillas and their supporters. By August, the rebels had defeated the army's advance and captured a huge amount of weaponry.
	20–30 November	Thirty key positions at Guisa are taken. In the following month most cities in Oriente fall to rebel hands.
	December	Guevara,William Alexander Morgan,and forces of theDirectorio Revolucionario Estudiantil,an organization of university students, attackSanta Clara.
	28 December	Rebel forces take Santa Clara.
	31 December	Camilo Cienfuegosleads revolutionary guerrillas to victory in Yaguajay;Huber Matosenters Santiago.
1959	1 January	President Batista resigns and flees the country. Fidel Castro's column enters Santiago de Cuba. The revolutionaries startsmilitary tribunals of captured military, with some receiving the death penalty.Various urban rebels, mainly associated with Directorio, seize Havana Cuban revolutionaries call a General Strike to ensure governmental control
	2 January	Guevara andCamilo Cienfuegosarrive in Havana.
	5 January	Manuel Urrutianamed President of Cuba
	8 January	Fidel Castroarrives at Havana, speaks to crowds at Camp Columbia.
	16 February	Fidel CastrobecomesPremier of Cuba.
	March	Fabio Grobartis present at a series of meetings with Castro brothers, Guevara and Valdes atCojimar
	20 April	Fidel Castrospeaks atPrinceton University,New Jersey.
	17 May	The Cuban government enacts theAgrarian Reform Law,seizing large (mostly corporate and foreign) holdings of agricultural land and redistributing it to smaller land owners. The new holdings are limited to 1,000 acres (4.0 km2).
	17 July	Osvaldo Dorticós Torradobecomes President of Cuba, replacingManuel Urrutia,who is forced to resign by Fidel Castro. Dorticós serves until 2 December 1976
	28 October	Plane carryingCamilo Cienfuegosdisappears during a night flight fromCamagüeyto Havana. He is presumed dead.
	11 December	Trial of revolutionaryHuber Matosbegins. Matos is found guilty of "treason and sedition".
1960	4 March	The French freighterLa Coubreexplodeswhile unloading in Havana harbor, and Fidel Castro calls it sabotage by the U.S. on 5 March.
	17 March	U.S. PresidentDwight Eisenhowerorders CIA directorAllen Dullesto train Cuban exiles for a covert invasion of Cuba.
	6 April	U.S. Secretary of StateLester Malloryoutlines objectives of embargo in a memo: "...inconspicuous as possible, makes the greatest inroads in denying money and supplies to Cuba, to decrease monetary and real wages, to bring about hunger, desperation and overthrow of government."
	5 July	All U.S. businesses and commercial property in Cuba arenationalizedat the direction of the Cuban government.
	19 October	U.S. imposesembargoprohibiting all exports to Cuba except foodstuffs and medical supplies.
	31 October	Cuban nationalization of all U.S. property in Cuba is completed.
	26 December	Operation Peter Pan(Operación Pedro Pan) begins, an operation transporting to the U.S. 14,000 children of parents opposed to the new government. The scheme continues until U.S. airports are closed to Cuban flights during 1962.
1961		U.S. trade embargo on Cuba.
	1 January	Cuban government initiates national literacy scheme.
	March	Former rebel comandanteHumberto Sorí Marinand Catholic leaders shot.
	15 April	Bay of Pigs invasion.
	18 April	Nikita Khrushchevwrites toJohn F. Kennedyto end U.S. aggression against Cuba.
1962	31 January	Cubaexpelledfrom theOrganization of American States.
	17 August	Central Intelligence AgencyDirectorJohn McConesuggests that the Soviet Union is constructing offensive missile installations in Cuba.
	29 August	At a news conference, U.S. PresidentJohn F. Kennedytells reporters: "I'm not for invading Cuba at this time... an action like that... could lead to very serious consequences for many people."
	31 August	President Kennedy is informed that the 29 August U-2 mission confirms the presence of surface-to-air missile batteries in Cuba.
Cuban Missile Crisis(1962)	16 October	McGeorge Bundyinforms President Kennedy that evidence shows Soviet medium-range ballistic missiles in Cuba. Kennedy immediately gathers a group that becomes known as "ExComm," the executive committee of the National Security Council.
	22 October	President Kennedyaddresses the nationon television, announcing ablockade on arms shipmentsto Cuba.
	23 October	U.S. establishes air and sea blockade in response to photographs of Soviet missile bases under construction in Cuba. U.S. threatens to invade Cuba if the bases are not dismantled and warns that a nuclear attack launched from Cuba would be considered a Soviet attack requiring full retaliation.
	28 October	Khrushchev agrees to remove offensive weapons from Cuba, and the U.S. agrees to remove missiles from Turkey and promises not to invade Cuba.
1962	21 November	U.S. ends Cuban blockade, satisfied that all bases are removed and Soviet jets will leave the island by 20 December.
1963	October	2nd Agrarian reform.
	November	Compulsory military service introduced.
1964		OASenforce embargo against Cuba.
1965	3 October	The Integrated Revolutionary Organizations (ORI) become the governingCommunist Party of Cuba.
	28 September	Fidel announces Cubans can emigrate, which launches theCamarioca boatlift and airlift.
1967	9 October	Che Guevaraexecuted inLa Higuera,Bolivia.
1968	March	All private bars and restaurants are finally closed down.
1972		Cuba becomes a member of theCouncil for Mutual Economic Assistance(COMECON).
1974		Maternity leavebill introduced by the Cuban government.
1975		The Soviet Union engages in a massive airlift of Cuban forces intoAngola.
		The Family Code bill establishes the official goal of equal participation in the home.
	July	OAS lifts the trade embargo and other sanctions.
1976	March	South African forces backing theUNITArebel force withdraw fromAngola.It is regarded as a victory for Cuban forces.
	15 February	A referendum endorses the1976 Constitution,which institutionalizes the principles of the Cuban Revolution. It takes effect of 24 February.
	6 October	Two time bombs destroyCubana Flight 455departing from Barbados, viaTrinidad,to Cuba. Evidence implicated several CIA-linkedanti-CastroCuban exilesand members of theVenezuelansecret policeDISIP.
	2 December	Fidel Castro becomesPresident of Cuba.
1977	1 January	Political and administrative division divides Cuba into fourteen provinces, 168 municipalities and the special municipality ofIsla de la Juventud.
	May	Fifty Cuban military personnel sent to Ethiopia.
1979	21 October	Huber Matosis released from prison after serving out his full term.
1980	April–October	TheMariel Boatlift.Cuban authorities allow up to 125,000 people to depart Cuba by boat fromMariel harborfor the U.S. The Cuban and U.S. governments agree to halt the exodus in October.
	7 June	U.S. PresidentJimmy Carterorders the U.S. Justice Department to expel any Cubans who committed "serious crimes" in Cuba.
1983	25 October	United States invades the island ofGrenadaand clash with Cuban troops.
1984		Cuba reduces its troop strength inEthiopiato approximately 3,000 from 12,000.
1987		Law #62 on the Penal Code introduced recognising discrimination based on any reason and the violation of the right of equality as a crime.
1989	12 July	Prominent general in the Cuban armed forcesArnaldo Ochoais executed after allegations of involvement in drug smuggling.
	17 September	The last Cuban troops leave Ethiopia.
1990	23 March	The U.S. launchesTV Marti.
1991	May	Cuba removed all troops fromAngola.
	26 December	Special Period:TheSoviet Union(Cuba's closest economic partner) formallydissolved,leading to a full loss of economic and military aid, causing a prolonged economic crisis through the 1990s.
1992	July	TheNational Assembly of Cubapasses the Constitutional Reform Law allowing for direct elections to the assembly by the Cuban people every five years.
1993	6 November	The Cuban government opens state enterprises to private investment.
1994	5 August	Maleconazo:Protests break out in Havana due to economic hardships amidst the Special Period.
1996	February	Cuban authorities arrest or detain at least 150 dissidents, marking the most widespread crackdown on opposition groups since the early 1960s.
	24 February	Cuban fighter jets shoot down two US-registered civilian aircraft over international waters, killing four men.
	12 March	In the U.S., theHelms-Burton Actextends the U.S. embargo against Cuba to foreign companies.
1998	21 January	Pope John Paul IIbecomes the first Pope to visit the island.
1999		Christian anti-abortion activistOscar Elías Biscetis detained by Cuban police for organizing meetings in Havana and Matanzas.
	5 November	Six-year/oldElián Gonzálezis found clinging to an inner tube in theStraits of Florida.
2000	14 December	Russian PresidentVladimir Putinvisits Cuba and signs accords aimed at boosting bilateral ties.

21st century

2001	23 June	Fidel Castro almost faints following a televised speech.
2002	January	Russia's last military base in Cuba, at Lourdes, closes.
	6 May	U.S. Under Secretary of StateJohn R. Boltonaccuses Cuba of trying to develop biological weapons, adding the country to Washington's list of "axis of evil"countries.
	12 May	Former U.S. PresidentJimmy Cartervisits Cuba. He praises theVarela projectand criticizes the U.S. embargo.
2003	April	The Cuban government arrests 78 writers and dissidents, blaming U.S. provocation and interference fromJames Cason,the chief of theUnited States Interests Section in Havana.
2005	20 May	Around 200 dissidents hold a public meeting, which its organizers call the first such gathering since the 1959 revolution.
	7 July	Hurricane Denniscauses widespread destruction in Cuba and leaves 16 people dead.
2006	31 July	Raúl Castroassumes the duties of president of Cubawhile Fidel Castro recovers from an emergency operation.
2008	19 February	Fidel Castro resigns as President of Cuba.
	24 February	Raúl is elected president by the National Assembly.
2014	17 December	Cuban Thaw:U.S. President Barack Obama and Raúl Castro re-establish diplomatic ties between the two countries.
2016	20 March	U.S. President Barack Obama begins a three-day visit to Cuba.
	25 November	Thedeath of Fidel Castrois announced. "The commander in chief of the Cuban revolution died at 22:29 hours this evening [03:29 GMT 25 November]."
2017	16 June	U.S. PresidentDonald Trumpcancels the previous administration's diplomatic agreements with Cuba, ending the Cuban Thaw.
2018	19 April	Miguel Díaz-Canelsucceeds Raul Castro as President of the Council of State and Council of Ministers, becoming the first non-Castro leader of the country since the Cuban Revolution.
2020	11 March	Cuba confirms its first case ofCOVID-19.
2021	11–17 July	The largest protest against the Cuban communist governmentsince 1959 breaks out due to shortages amidst the severe crisis and theCOVID-19 pandemic,before being suppressed by the government.
2022	25 September	Cuba holds areferendumon amending the Family Code of the Constitution, legalizing same-sex marriage and adoption. The referendum is passed with 66.85% of votes in favor.

See also

Cities in Cuba

• Timeline of Camagüey
• Timeline of Cienfuegos
• Timeline of Guantánamo
• Timeline of Havana
• Timeline of Holguín
• Timeline of Matanzas
• Timeline of Santiago de Cuba

Bibliography

• George Henry Townsend(1877), "Cuba",A Manual of Dates(5th ed.), London: Frederick Warne & Co.,hdl:2027/wu.89097349427
• Benjamin Vincent (1910), "Cuba",Haydn's Dictionary of Dates(25th ed.), London: Ward, Lock & Co.,hdl:2027/loc.ark:/13960/t89g6g776– via Hathi Trust
• Hugh ThomasCuba or the Pursuit of Freedom (Paperback) Da Capo Press; Updated edition (April 1998)ISBN0-306-80827-7
• "Cuba".Political Chronology of the Americas.Europa Publications.2001.ISBN978-1-85743-118-6.
• Leopoldo Fornés Bonavía (2003).Cuba, cronología: cinco siglos de historia, política y cultura(in Spanish). Madrid:Editorial Verbum.ISBN978-84-7962-248-0.
• Clifford L. Staten (2005)."Timeline of Historical Events".History of Cuba.Palgrave Macmillan.ISBN978-1-4039-6259-1.

External links

• "Cuba Profile: Timeline".BBC News. May 2018.
• Cuba timeline: Cold War ChronologyEducator guide. Accessed 5 October 2006.
• "Fidel Castro, Cuba's leader of revolution, dies at 90".BBC News. 26 November 2016.