The rebels proceed to seize the important…

The rebels proceed to seize the important city of Bayamo after a three-day-combat.

It is in the enthusiasm of this victory that the poet and musician, Perucho Figueredo, composes Cuba’s national anthem, the “Bayamo”.

The melody, also called La Bayamesa, had been composed by Figueredo in 1867.

When, on October 20, 1868, the Cuban forces obtain the capitulation of the Spaniard authorities in Bayamo, the jubilant people surround Figueredo and ask him to write an anthem with the melody they are humming.

Right on the saddle of his horse, Figueredo writes the lyrics of the anthem, (which is longer than the current official version).

Figueredo will be captured and executed by the Spaniards two years later.