The U.S.S. MAINE blows up in Havana Harbour, Cuba, on February 15th, 1898.

The U.S.S. MAINE blew up on February 15th, 1898, in Havana, Cuba with a loss of 260 Sailors and Marines. This event and others eventually led to War between the United States and Spain, in April of 1898.

Reinaldo Arenas, Quote.

"The difference between the Communist system and the Capitalist system, is that although both give you a kick in the ass, in the Communist, they kick you and you have to applaud, and in the Capitalist they kick you and you can scream, and I came here to scream". -- Reinaldo Arenas

Cuban Olympic Boxing Gold Medal Winners, Light Flyweight (48kg / 106pds), 1976 to 2004.

Cuba has won 3 Olympic Gold Medals in the Boxing Light Flyweight Class. The winners and years are listed below :

1976 - Jorge Hernandez
1992 - Rogelio Marcelo Garcia
2004 - Yan Bhartelemy Varela

The 21st Alabama Infantry, Alabama's Confederate Foreign Legion // El Regimento 21 de Infanteria de Alabama, La Legion Confederada Extranjera de Alabama

The 21st Alabama Infantry was mostly composed of small businessmen and artisans from Mobile, Alabama and is considered Alabama’s “Foreign Legion” for the number of Spaniard’s (including Cuban’s), Italian’s, Frenchmen, German’s and Irish, in its’ ranks. It was mustered into service on October. 13, 1861, at Mobile, and remained at Camp Hall’s Mill and Fort Gaines until ordered to Fort Pillow, in March 1862. It remained there a few days then moved to Corinth, where it was brigaded under General Gladden.
The Regiment took part in the Battle of Shiloh, where it lost six color-bearers, in succession, and 200 killed and wounded out of about 650 engaged and was complimented for their actions, in the General Orders. When it returned to Corinth, the Regiment was reorganized, and extended their enlistment from one year to “for the war.” The 21st was at the Battle of Farmington, but its casualties were few, in the summer, the 21st was ordered to Mobile, Alabama and was on garrison duty at Fort Morgan, and at Oven and Choctow Bluffs.
It was at Pollard, Alabama a short time under General James Cantey, but was then ordered to the defenses of Mobile. Two companies were stationed at Fort Powell, where, with a loss of one killed, they withstood a two week bombardment from five gun-boats and six mortar-boats which attempted to force an entrance through Grant’s Pass. Six companies of the 21st were captured at Fort Gaines, on Dauphin Island, Alabama and two at Fort Morgan; but the two at Fort Powell blew it up and evacuated the post. The men captured at Fort Gaines were exchanged, the others were not. The remainder of the regiment were part of the Garrison of Spanish Fort, where it lost about 10 killed and 25 wounded.
The Twenty-first was surrendered at Cuba, in Sumter County, Alabama on May 6, 1865, about 250 strong. 
This information on the 21st Alabama is a modified version of the segment on the 21st Alabama that was first published in “Alabama: Her History, Resources, War Record and Public Men, 1540-1872” by Willis Brewer.

You can visit http://adf.ly/8ALVr and learn about the Cuba Libre Camp Project of the Admiral Semmes Camp 11, Sons of Confederate Veterans which is a project to identify all known Cuban Confederate Soldiers, as well as other Hispanics and Minorities who served in the Confederate Military.

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El Regimento 21 de Infanteria de Alabama estaba formado por hombres de pequeños negocios y artesanos de Mobile, Alabama y es considerado como La Legión Extranjera de Alabama debido al número de Españoles (incluyendo Cubanos), Italianos, Franceses, Alemanes e Irlandeses en sus filas. Fué organizado el 13 de Octubre de 1861, en Mobile y permaneció en Camp Hall´s Mill y Fort Gaines hasta que fué ordenado a Fort Pillow, en Marzo de 1862. Permaneció ahi unos pocos dias y fué trasladado a Corinth donde se convirtió en brigada bajo el General Gladden.
El Regimento participó en la batalla de Shiloh, en la cual perdió seis abanderados, sucesivamente y 200 muertos y heridos de casi 650 y fué felicitada por sus acciones, en las General Orders. Cuando volvió a Corinth, el Regimento fué reorganizado y extendió su enliste de un año a ‘’para la guerra.’’ El 21 estubo en la Batalla de Farmington, sus bajas fueron pocas, en el verano, fué ordenado a Mobile, Alabama y estubo de turno en la guarnición en Fort Morgan y en Oven y Choctow Bluffs.
Estubo en Pollard, Alabama, un corto tiempo, bajo el General James Cantey, pero entonces fué ordenado a defender Mobile. Dos compañias fueron estacionadas en Fort Powell, donde con la pérdida de sólo un muerto, soportaron durante dos semanas un bombardeo de cinco cañoreros y seis barcos de morteros los cuales atentaron forzar una entrada a travéz de Grant Pass. Seis compañias del 21 fueron capturadas en Fort Gaines, en Dauphin Island, Alabama y dos en Fort Morgan; pero las dos en Fort Powell , lo volaron y evacuaron el puesto. Los hombres capturados en Fort Gaines fueron canjeados, los otros no. El resto del regimento formó parte de la guarnición de Spanish Fort, donde perdió cerca de 10 muertos y 25 heridos.
El 21 se rindió en Cuba, en el Condado de Sumter, Alabama el 6 de mayo de 1865 con una fuerza de 250.
Esta información es una versión modificada de un artículo que fué publicado por primera vez en "Alabama: Her History, Resources, War Record and Public Men, 1549-1872" de Willis Brewer.

Population of Havana, Cuba, in 2009.

The population of Havana, Cuba was 2,141,993 in 2009.

Population of Havana, Cuba, in 2005.

The population of Havana, Cuba was 2,181,324 in 2005.

Population of Havana, Cuba, in 2002.

The population of Havana, Cuba was 2,204,028 in 2002.

Population of Havana, Cuba, in 1997.

The population of Havana, Cuba was  2,197,700 in 1997.

Population of Havana, Cuba, in 1990.

The population of Havana, Cuba was 2,107,500 in 1990.

Population of Havana, Cuba, in 1981.

The population of Havana, Cuba was 1,929,400 in 1981.

Population of Havana, Cuba, in 1975.

The population of Havana, Cuba was 1,917,500 in 1975.

Population of Havana, Cuba, in 1960.

The population of Havana, Cuba was 1,529,800 in 1960.

Population of Havana, Cuba, in 1953.

The population of Havana, Cuba was 785,455, in 1953.

Population of Havana, Cuba, in 1943.

The population of Havana, Cuba was 659,883, in 1943.

Population of Havana, Cuba, in 1931.

The population of Havana, Cuba was 520,504, in 1931.

Population of Havana, Cuba, in 1919.

The population of Havana, Cuba was 363,506, in 1919.

Population of Havana, Cuba, in 1907.

The population of Havana, Cuba was 297,159, in 1907.

Population of Havana, Cuba, in 1899.

The population of Havana, Cuba, was 235,981, in 1899.

Population of Havana, Cuba, in 1861.

The population of Havana, Cuba, was 196,847, in 1861.

Spanish Colonial Governors of Cuba, 1512 to 1550.

1) 1512 to 1524 - Diego Velasquez, Lt. Governor
2) 1524 - Manuel De Rojas, Lt. Governor, (Provisional)
3) 1525 to 1526 - Juan De Altamirano, Lt. Governor
4) 1526 to 1532 - Gonzalo De Guzman, Lt. Governor
5) 1532 to 1535 - Manuel De Rojas, Lt. Governor, (Provisional)
6) 1535 to 1538 - Gonzalo De Guzman, Lt. Governor
7) 1538 to 1543 - Hernando De Soto, Governor-General
8) 1544 to 1546 - Juan De Avila, Governor-General
9) 1546 to 1550 - Antonio Chavez, Governor-General

Welcome // Bienvenidos

Welcome to the History of Cuba Blog.

Juan B. Vinas, A Hispanic Confederate Marine // Juan B. Vinas, Un Marino Hispano Confederado

Juan B. Vinas was a Private in the Confederate States Marine Corp, on the C.S.S. (Confederate State Ship) Gaines. He was born in 1846, in Barcelona, Spain and died on March 21, 1911. The C.S.S. Ganes was sunk at the Battle of Mobile Bay, on August 5, 1864. He enlisted in April 1862 and was listed as a Steerage Steward and later joined the Confederate Marine Corps. He surrendered in April 1865 and his wife received a Confederate Pension for his service. He was a founding member of the Spanish Benevolent and Mutual Aid Society of Mobile, Alabama in 1871 and was a member of the Raphael Semmes Camp 11, United Confederate Veterans. He married Mary “Mamie” Fitzgerald. He had immigrated to Alabama in 1860 and became an American Citizen on October 30, 1868. He is buried at Magnolia Cemetery in Mobile, Alabama, in Square 22, Lot 39.

You can visit http://adf.ly/8ALVr and learn about the Cuba Libre Camp Project of the Admiral Semmes Camp 11, Sons of Confederate Veterans which is a project to identify all known Cuban Confederate Soldiers, as well as other Hispanics and Minorities who served in the Confederate Military.

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Juan B. Vinas fue un soldado en la Marina de los Estados Confederados a bordo del C.S.S.(Barco de los Estados Confederados) Gaines. El nació en el 1846 en Barcelona, España y murió el 21 de marzo, 1911. El C.S.S. Gaines se hundió en la Batalla de Mobile Bay el 5 de agosto, 1864. Se enlisto en abril del año 1862 y su cargo fue el de trabajador en el barco, y luego se unió a la Marina Confederada. El se entrego en abril del 1865 y su esposa recibió una pensión  Confederada por el servicio de su esposo. Vinas fue miembro fundador de la Sociedad Ayuda Mutua y Español Benevolente (Spanish Benevolent and Mutual Aid Society) de Mobile, Alabama en el año 1871 y miembro del Raphael Semmes Campamento 11, Veteranos Confederados Unidos (United Confederate Veterans). Se caso con Mary “Mamie” Fitzgerald. El emigro a Alabama en el año 1860 y se hizo ciudadano americano el 30 de octubre, 1868. Vinas esta enterado en el cementerio Magnolia en Mobile, Alabama, cuadrado 22, lote 39.

Juan Ochoa and the C.S.S. Alabama // Juan Ochoa y el C.S.S. Alabama

Juan Ochoa was a Seaman on the C.S.S. (Confederate State Ship) Alabama. He was born in Bilbao, Spain , in 1847 and was captured by the C.S.S. Alabama, while on the on the T.B. Wales, on November 10, 1862. He signed on the C.S.S. Alabama as an Ordinary Seaman and was promoted by Admiral Raphael Semmes to Able Seaman. He served in the famous Battle between the C.S.S. Alabama and the U.S.S. Kearsarge, on June 19, 1864 and was captured. He later moved to New Zealand and died on May 16, 1889. He is buried in Waikumete Cemetery , Auckland , New Zealand , Public Burial “A,” Row 1, Plot 70. Juan Ochoa was of Basque descent and was the only known Hispanic to serve on the C.S.S. Alabama under the famous Confederate Admiral Raphael Semmes.

You can visit http://adf.ly/8ALVr and learn about the Cuba Libre Camp Project of the Admiral Semmes Camp 11, Sons of Confederate Veterans which is a project to identify all known Cuban Confederate Soldiers, as well as other Hispanics and Minorities who served in the Confederate Military.

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Juan Ochoa fue un marino en el buque de guerra C.S.S. (Barco de la Confederacion de Estado) Alabama. Nació en Bilbao, España en el 1847 y fue capturado por el C.S.S. Alabama mientras estaba en el T.B. Wales el 10 de noviembre 1862. El se registro con el C.S.S. Alabama como un marino y fue promovido por el Admiral Raphael Semmes a marinero con experiencia. El sirvió en la famosa batalla entre los buques de guerra C.S.S. Alabama y el U.S.S. Kearsarge el 19 de junio, 1864 donde fue capturado. Luego se mudo a Nueva Zelanda, donde murió el 16 de mayo, 1889. Fue enterrado en el cementerio Waikumete en Auckland , Nueva Zelanda. Su tumba esta en el entierro publico ”A,” Fila 1, Lote 70. Juan Ochoa era de descendencia Vasca y fue el único Hispano de la cual se tenga conocimiento de haber servido en el buque de guerra C.S.S. Alabama bajo el famoso Admiral Confederado Raphael Semmes.

Miguel Pol, a Hispanic Confederate Blockade Runner // Miguel Pol, Un Hispano Confederado

Miguel Leon Pol was the Captain of a very small coastal Blockade Runner, out of Bayou La Batre, Alabama, in 1861. He was a ship carpenter and had a small ship building business, in Bayou La Batre, as well as a small salt works and later at Pascagoula, Mississippi where he settled during the war. He was born in Palma, Island of Mallorca, Spain on April 11th, 1833 and died on September 4th, 1879, in Lockhart, Mississippi. He married Manuela Valverde (born April 14th, 1841 died in 1931). She was the daughter of Jose Antonio Valverde (born 1812, on the Island of Ibiza, Spain, died 1860/1861 ?) and Mary Jane Davidson. She was the daughter of William Davidson and Elizabeth Peters who was the daughter of Nathanial Peters. Miguel and Manuela are both buried in Greenwood Cemetery, in Jackson County, Mississippi. There is a photo of Miguel Pol which still exists and of his wife and children. He became an American Citizen on January 18th, 1858.

You can visit http://adf.ly/8ALVr and learn about the Cuba Libre Camp Project of the Admiral Semmes Camp 11, Sons of Confederate Veterans which is a project to identify all known Cuban Confederate Soldiers, as well as other Hispanics and Minorities who served in the Confederate Military.

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Miguel Leon Pol eran el capitán de un pequeño velero usado para evadir el bloqueo de la Unión desde Bayou La Batre, Alabama en el 1861. Eran un carpintero para barcos y tenia un pequeño negocio de carpintería para barcos y una pequeña fabrica de sal en Bayou La Batre y luego en Pascagoula, Mississippi donde se estableció después de la guerra. El nació en Palma, Isla de Mallorca, España el 11 de abril del 1833 y murió el 4 de septiembre 1879 en Lockhart, Mississippi. Se caso con Manuela Valverde (nacida 14 de abril 1841 y murió en el 1931). Ella fue hija de Jose Antonio Valverde (nacido en el 1812, en la isla de Ibiza, España, murió entre 1860 y 1861) y Mary Jane Davidson. Ella era la hija de William Davidson y Elizabeth Peters, quien fue la hija de Nathanial Peters. Miguel y Manuela ambos fueron enterrados en el cementerio Greenwood en el condado de Jackson, Mississippi.
Hay una foto de Miguel Pol la cual todavía existe de el con su esposa e hijos. El se hizo ciudadano Americano el 18 de enero del 1858.

Jose Comas Laramendi, A Cuban Confederate Blockade Runner // Jose Comas Laramendi, un Cubano Confederado.

      The Laramendi brothers of Oriente Province, Cuba ran the Union blockade from Cuba into the ports of New Orleans, Mobile, and along the Mississippi Gulf Coast as well as in Florida at different times during the war. They had a small sloop named the San Quintin. They were never captured and both are buried in Cuba. Their surname has also been found as Larramendi.
Jose Comas Laramendi was the Captain of the blockade runner San Quintin. He married Paulina Rosa Batista (born 1865, died November 3, 1943). She is buried in Cauto, Oriente Province, Cuba. She was the daughter of Guiseppi Battista, of Florence, Italy and Luz Barra or Barras, of Cuba, daughter of Maria “La Ciboney” Barra or Barras. Luz Barra was one of the few remaining descendants of the Native Cuban Taino, Ciboney Indians. Jose Comas Laramendi was the son of Jose Comas and Teresa Laramendi. He is said to be buried in Jabaco, Oriente Province, Cuba. The family of Guiseppi Battista adopted the Spanish spelling of Batista, with one T.
Manuel "Manolito" Laramendi was the brother of Jose Comas Batistsa and served as his 1st Lt. on the blockade runner San Quintin. He married Alta Gracia (no surname found). He is buried in Oriente Province, Cuba.

You can visit http://adf.ly/8ALVr and learn about the Cuba Libre Camp Project of the Admiral Semmes Camp 11, Sons of Confederate Veterans which is a project to identify all known Cuban Confederate Soldiers, as well as other Hispanics and Minorities who served in the Confederate Military.

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Los hermanos Laramendi de la Provincia de Oriente en Cuba dirigían la balandra usada para evadir del bloqueo de la Unión desde Cuba hasta los puertos de Nueva Orleans, Mobile y a lo largo de la costa de golfo en Mississippi al igual que en la Florida varias veces durante la guerra. La pequeña balandra se llamada San Quintín. Nunca fueron capturados y están enterados en Cuba. Su apellido también ha sido encontrado como Larramendi.
José Comas Laramendi era el Capitán de la balandra San Quintín que era usada para evadir el bloqueo. Se casó con Paulina Rosa Batista (nacida en el 1865 y falleció el 3 de noviembre del 1943). Ella esta enterada en Cauto, Provincia de Oriente, Cuba. Fue la hija de Guiseppi Battista de Florencia, Italia y Luz Barra o Barras de Cuba, hija de María “La Ciboney” Barra o Barras. Luz Barra era una de los pocos sobrevivientes de los Tainos nativos de Cuba, Los Indios Ciboney. José Comas Laramendi fue hijo de José Comas y Teresa Laramendi. Se dice que esta enterado en Jabaco, Provincia de Oriente, Cuba. La familia de Guiseppi Battista adopto el Batista, deletreándolo como los Españoles, con una T.
Manuel "Manolito" Laramendi era el hermano de José Comas Batista y sirvió como su Primer Teniente evadiendo el bloqueo de la Unión en la balandra San Quintín. Se caso con Alta Gracia (su apellido no fue localizado). El esta enterado en la Provincia de Oriente, Cuba.