History of Cuba 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 subsequent US military rule, Cuba gained formal independence in 1902.
Searchlight on Harbor Entrance, Santiago de Cuba Spanish fleet sheltering there. The image was painted after the event received much publicity in 1901 as a court of enquiry strove to apportion credit to the American commanders involved. The work is on view at the Metropolitan in Gallery 767. Searchlight on Harbor Entrance, Santiago de Cuba Searchlight on Harbor Entrance, Santiago de Cuba is an early 20th century painting by American artist Winslow Homer. It is currently (2018) in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Executed in oil on canvas from sketches made by Homer in 1895, the painting depicts two cannon atop Castillo de San