The Cuban War of Independence started on this day in 1895. It was the third attempt by would-be revolutionaries to wrest sovereignty from the Spanish crown in 30 years; Cubans had felt pushed around by Spain, which had increased taxes on the island and refused to give it the political autonomy it craved. After two terrible wars, the empire agreed to make several political changes to grant Cubans more liberties, including by freeing slaves. On that specific point, they kept their word — but other reforms never materialized. Spain again imposed trade restrictions and increased taxes on Cubans, prompting another rebellion.
The rebels took ground over the course of a few years, and Spain responded by further worsening their reputation on the islands when it corralled Cubans into "reconcentration areas." Tens of thousands died, and public opinion shifted to support the rebels. Meanwhile, newspapers in the U.S. fervently covered and dramatized the war for American readers and even encouraged the declaration of war. An American warship was destroyed in a mysterious (and yet unsolved) explosion in 1898, giving the U.S. reason to enter the fight. It routed the empire, forcing it to come to the table for peace talks in just four months.
In late 1898, the United States and Spain agreed to end the war and guarantee Cuba's independence — but representatives of Cuba weren't allowed to be present. The U.S. would occupy the island for three and a half years more, also gaining the right to establish a permanent military base on the island and the legal right to intervene militarily in the future. The Republic of Cuba was officially formed in 1902.
You can read more about the Cuban Independence Movement at the Encyclopedia Britannica.
