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Cry of Yara
	Part of Ten Years' War
Date	10 October 1868 – 11 October 1868; (1 day)
Location	Yara, Oriente Province, Captaincy General of Cuba
Result	Cuban victory
Belligerents
Cuban rebels	Spain
Commanders and leaders
Gen. Carlos Manuel de Céspedes;	Unknown
Strength
140+ mambises	Unknown

The Cry of Yara (Spanish: El Grito de Yara) was a declaration, battle cry, and uprising in eastern Cuba on 10 October 1868, initiating the Ten Years' War.^[1]

History

The signaling of the Yara uprising occurred near Manzanillo in the eastern province of Oriente, at the sugar plantation and mill of La Demajagua. On October 10, 1868, the revolutionary proclamation of Cuba's independence known as the Cry of Yara (Spanish: El Grito de Yara) was issued by Cuban revolutionary and plantation owner Carlos Manuel de Céspedes.^[2]

Following the tolling of the slave bell that morning, which signaled his slaves that work was about to begin, they assembled before him, ready for instructions.^[3] Céspedes gave a passionate address, declared the independence of Cuba, and pledged to gradually end slavery. He first liberated his own slaves and invited them to fight alongside him against Spanish colonial forces, initiating the Ten Years' War in Cuba.^[4]

The Battle

The Cuban insurrectionists remained at Demajagua, leaving the next day at dawn on October 11, 1868, with intentions to attack and occupy the nearby town of Yara.^[5] A total of 147 men armed themselves with 45 fowling pieces, 4 rifles, and several pistols and machetes.^[6]

The Spanish garrison at Yara, situated between the cities of Manzanillo and Bayamo, fell to Céspedes in his first successful military encounter.

Aftermath

The news of the uprising at Yara inspired many to join the cause, leading to the eventual formation of the Cuban Liberation Army.^[7]

Cuba Independence Day is observed every year on October 10th as a national holiday and the anniversary of the beginning of the first Cuban War of Independence.^[8]

References

^ Dunn, J. M. (2015). Jose Marti: Cuba's Greatest Hero. United States: Pineapple Press.
^ Making History: Interviews with Four Generals of Cuba's Revolutionary Armed Forces. (2000). United Kingdom: Pathfinder.
^ "Cubans rose up against Spain in first war for independence". dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 2024-08-02.
^ Miller, I. L. (2010). Voice of the Leopard: African Secret Societies and Cuba. Ukraine: University Press of Mississippi.
^ Bart, P., Petitclerc, D. B. (1981). Destinies. United States: Bantam Books.
^ "The History of Cuba, vol. 3 - Chapter XI - Willis Fletcher Johson". clyx.com. Retrieved 2024-08-02.
^ Ryan, J. G. (1876). Life and Adventures of Gen. W.A.C. Ryan, the Cuban Martyr: Captured on the Steamer Virginius and Murdered by the Spaniards at Santiago, Cuba, Nov. 4, 1873. United States: Scully & Company.
^ Fast, A., Hughes, S. (2004). Cuba: The culture. United States: Crabtree Publishing Company.