Carlos Manuel de Céspedes
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Carlos Manuel de Céspedes (April 18, 1819—February, 1874), born in Bayamo, in Oriente, province of Cuba, was one of the generals of the "mambí warriors" (rebels who fought for the independence of Cuba) in the war against the Spaniards. He was a rich landowner in Eastern Cuba, and purchased La Demajagua, an hacienda, in 1844 after returning from Spain. On October 10, 1868, he made the Grito de Yara (Cry of Yara), declaring Cuban independence, which began the "Ten Years' War". That morning, after sounding the slave bell that indicated to his slaves it was time for work, they stood before him waiting for orders, and Cespedes announced they were all free men, and were invited to join him and his fellow conspirators in war against colonial Spain. For this, he is called Padre de la Patria, Spanish for Father of the Homeland. In April 1869 he was elected President of the Republic of Cuba in Arms, but was deposed in 1873. Spanish troops killed him alone in February 1874 in a mountain refuge, as the new Cuban government would not let him go into exile and denied him an escort.
De Céspedes was the father of another famous Cuban, also named Carlos Manuel de Céspedes, who was president of Cuba after Gerardo Machado was deposed by force in 1933.
His portrait was on the 10 pesos bills in Cuba until 1959 when it was moved to the 100 pesos bill.
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