Guantanamo Bay, 1898
With the U.S. Navy successful blockade of the Spanish Squadron in Santiago, the need for a nearby bay, controlled by the Cuban rebels and U.S. troops for supply, coaling and maintenance of the warships, became urgent.  It soon became evident that the best anchorage facility was the Bay of Guantánamo.

Emilio Bacardí y Moreau (1844-1922).  Entrepreneur, writer and journalist, born in Santiago on June 5.  At only 24 he was honored by the Liceo of Puerto Principe for hisConveniencia de reservar a la mujer ciertos trabajos. He was imprisoned in1876 for revolutionary activities and deported in 1879. At Ceuta in 1895 during the Independence War, 1895-1898, he was jailed for sending arms to the insurgents. 

José Julián Martí y Pérez (1853-1895), Cuba’s greatest hero and most influential writer.  Revolutionary, poet, journalist, and the principal organizer of the Independence War of 1895-1898, he was the apostle of Cuba’s independence.