<P> The island of Cuba was inhabited by various Mesoamerican cultures prior to the arrival of the Italian explorer Christopher Columbus in 1492 . After Columbus ' arrival , Cuba became a Spanish colony , ruled by a Spanish governor in Havana . In 1762 , Havana was briefly occupied by Great Britain , before being returned to Spain in exchange for Florida . A series of rebellions during the 19th century failed to end Spanish rule . However , the Spanish -- American War resulted in a Spanish withdrawal from the island in 1898 , and following three - and - a-half years of subsequent US military rule , Cuba gained formal independence in 1902 . </P>
<P> The island of Cuba was inhabited by various Mesoamerican cultures prior to the arrival of the Italian explorer Christopher Columbus in 1492 . After Columbus ' arrival , Cuba became a Spanish colony , ruled by a Spanish governor in Havana . In 1762 , Havana was briefly occupied by Great Britain , before being returned to Spain in exchange for Florida . A series of rebellions during the 19th century failed to end Spanish rule . However , the Spanish -- American War resulted in a Spanish withdrawal from the island in 1898 , and following three - and - a-half years of subsequent US military rule , Cuba gained formal independence in 1902 . </P>
when did cuba gain its independence from spain
when did cuba gain its independence from spain
1898
1898