Cuba

April 24, 1898: Following a US ultimatum to withdraw from Cuba, Spain declares war on the US. December 10, 1898: Spain loses war and recognizes the independence of Cuba under the Treaty of Paris. Cuba established as a republic. May 20, 1902: Partial independence from the US until 1934. January 1, 1959: Batista (Fulgencio Batista y Zaldivar) regime is overthrown. A communist system is set up under revolutionary leader Fidel Castro. April 17, 1961: Failure of the anti-Castro invasion of Cuba at the Bays of Pigs, lead by the US. October 22, 1962: US-Soviet missile crisis. Blockade of the island by the US. November 22, 1962: End of the missile crisis. Lifting of the blockade.