June 22, 1898: U.S. troops land in Cuba

On June 22, 1898, the first U.S. troops landed on Cuban land. For months, U.S. troops had been stationed in Tampa, Florida, the place Brigadier General William had chosen as the staging ground for eventual troop deployment to Cuba. Approximately, 25,000 U.S. troops were stationed in Tampa, which only had a population of 25,000 at the time. Tampa was chosen because of its close proximity to Cuba, its railroads, and its deep bay.

Bibliography:

Dyal, Donald H.. Historical Dictionary of the Spanish American War. Greenwood Press: Westport, CT, 1996.