A Spanish colony since the 15th century, following Christopher Columbus’s conquest of America, Cuba has always aspired to gain independence and take control of its destiny. In the early 19th century, ...

WASHINGTON, Oct. 10.--With Gov. Magoon in charge of affairs in Cuba there is going to be a halcyon state of affairs when that free and independent nation undertakes to do business as such with the ...

Cespedes proclaimed independence and formed the Republic of Cuba on October 10, 1868. By 1869, Cespedes had written a constitution that abolished slavery and annexed the country to the United States.