Patriots from Camagüey were committed to the movement initiated by Carlos Manuel de Céspedes in the Oriente region. Photo: Archive

Las Clavellinas: A Date That Endures in Memory

The history of a people is also written in those places where a group of men decides to turn their ideals into action. In Camagüey, that moment has a name and a date: Las Clavellinas, November 4th, 1868. A day that marked the beginning of the independence insurrection in this region of the country.

Just weeks after the uprising led by Carlos Manuel de Céspedes at La Demajagua, patriots from Camagüey joined the struggle against colonial rule.

That morning, 76 men gathered at a crossing of the Saramaguacan River known as Las Clavellinas, about 13 kilometers from Puerto Príncipe. From there, they headed to the El Cercado sugar mill, where they organized the forces that would carry forward the insurrection in the territory.

Also this event was not an isolated occurrence. It represented Camagüey’s entry into the Ten Years’ War and helped spread the struggle for independence across Cuban territory.

That decision was linked to the efforts of numerous patriots from various locations. Laid the groundwork to support the movement that had begun in the region.

Remembering Las Clavellinas also means honoring those who gave their lives during the wars for independence.

Therefore, commemorating this date should not be reduce to merely marking an anniversary. It means bringing history closer to new generations, preserving accounts, visiting historical sites, and understanding the significance of the decisions that shaped the destiny of a nation.

More than a century and a half after that event, Las Clavellinas remains a symbol. In Camagüey’s participation in the struggles for independence. Its legacy endures in Cuba’s historical memory. Reminding us that understanding the past is also a way of honoring those who made our history possible.

By: Indira Vania López Samé

Radio Angulo
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