What Cuba and American Have in Common

When we think of Cuba we imagine great cigars and men wearing Guyaberas. We also think of embargos. But what does Cuba and America have in common?

For historical sake, Cuba was important to the history of Florida and the Keys due to Florida being a Spanish possession until 1762 when Florida was traded to Britain. Even then, Spain insisted that the Keys were not a part of Florida. England contested this, but neither cared as long as one did not interfere with the other's shipping. Cuba was Spain's first real foothold in the New World and was Spain's stepping-stone to the Americas. The Keys Indians traded with Havana for many years. Most of the Spanish shipwrecks were sailing from Havana to Spain when they wrecked on the Florida reefs.

On October 28, 1492, Christopher Columbus landed in Cuba and christened it "Juana," in honor of Prince Don Juan, son of Queen Isabella. Its Indian name was "Cubanacan." Slowly the name Cuba was adopted by the Spanish. Cuba's size and diversity of landscape no doubt convinced Columbus that he had indeed found Asia.

By the direction of King Ferdinand, Diego Columbus (son of Christopher) was the governor-general of Hispaniola. He commissioned Diego Velasquez to conquer and settle Cuba. When Christopher had visited Cuba on his second voyage, the Indians were hospitable. Velasquez anticipated little difficulty. However, in that short time the Indians of Hispaniola had been treated so terribly, that head chieftain Hatuey had to flee to Cuba. He had spread the word about the cruel white man to the Cuban natives.

In 1511, when Diego Velasquez and his 300 men landed for the conquest, they were greeted by a cloud of arrows.

Cuba's first capital was Santiago de Cuba. Governor Diego de Mazariego took up residence in Havana in 1558. Havana was given the title of "City" in 1592 and was confirmed as the Capital in 1607. By 1602, Cuba's Spanish population was about 20,000 of which 13,000 lived in or around Havana. As a time perspective, the Pilgrims had not yet arrived in North America.


Interesting, and little known, is the fact that the English or Spanish ownership of the Keys (Los Martires) was never really settled. The English Governor Ogilvie said the Keys were part of Florida. Spanish agent Elixio said that they were The Martires or Havana Norte and were a part of Cuba, not Florida; therefore not part of the treaty, which had not defined the boundaries of Florida. Both countries stood by their positions; however, neither contested -other than with words.

With Florida under English rule, many of the Spanish in Florida moved back to Cuba, as did the Spanish in Santo Domingo when it was ceded to France. Thousands more fled from French Haiti to Cuba when the blacks revolted and assumed power in Haiti. As a result Cuba's population grew while Florida was under English control, and Cuban commerce with the U.S. increased.

Today, Cuba prides itself on being independent. Having a strong influence of the Spanish and African culture, when it comes to the dressing sense of the Cubans you will realize that it is pretty much in tune with the west. Moreover being the kings of practicality that they are they usually just dress according to the weather conditions. The general style is laid back and relaxed with the formal clothing reserved for the dinners and theatres. In this, the Cubans are similar to the people of the Americas, primarily Florida. Each love the Guayabera shirt as it is a rather cool open neck shirt that is traditionally made out of cotton. Typically it is not a shirt that is to be tucked into the pants rather it is to be worn outside the pants giving the wearer a casual yet sober look.

Yes Cuba and America has a shared history and apparently a shared taste in clothing that is relaxed, cool and comfortable.