History of Cuba U.S. embassy in Havana was formally reopened in August 2015. History of Cuba The island of Cuba was inhabited by various Mesoamerican cultures prior to the arrival of the Spanish explorer Christopher Columbus in 1492. After Columbus' arrival, Spain conquered Cuba and appointed Spanish governors to rule 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 the 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
Santiago (film) Santiago (film) Santiago, also known as The Gun Runner, is a 1956 film starring and co-produced by Alan Ladd set in 1898 Cuba against the background of the Cuban War of Independence. Martin Rackin wrote the screenplay, based on his unpublished novel, as well as producing the film. A hardened gun runner attempts to take a shipment to Cuba to assist with the rebellion against Spain. The project was first announced in July 1955 and was originally known as "The Greater Courage". It was based on an unpublished novel by Martin Rackin, who also acted as producer. Although Ladd had