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The flag of Cuba was adopted on May 20, 1902.

Contents 1 Birth of the flag 2 Subsequent use of the flag 3 See also 4 External links

The Cuban flag's origins date from 1849, when various movements to liberate Cuba from Spanish rule emerged, mainly among Cuban exiles in the United States. Anti-Spanish Cuban exiles under the leadership of Narciso López adopted a flag suggested by the poet Miguel Teurbe Tolón. His design incorporates three blue stripes, representing the sea that surrounds the island of Cuba, and two white stripes symbolizing the purity of the patriotic cause. The red triangle stands for the blood shed to free the nation. The white star in the triangle stands for independence. López carried this flag in battle at Cárdenas (1850) and Playitas (1851). Although Lopez was not victorious, this was the first instance of the flag being raised in Cuba.

In April 1869, Narciso Lopez's flag was designated the national banner by the Congress of the Republic of Cuba in Arms. After the United States seized Cuba from Spain during the Spanish-American War, the Stars and Stripes flew from January 1, 1899, until independence was granted. On May 20, 1902, the Cuban national flag was hoisted as a symbol of independence and sovereignty. It has been used ever since, remaining unchanged after the Cuban Revolution of 1959. During the revolution, Cuban president Fidel Castro's 26th of July Movement created a party flag equally divided in red and black, usually in horizontal stripes and often with inscriptions, which is often flown on public buildings.

The flag of Cuba influenced the design of the flag of Puerto Rico; the blue and red are reversed and the dimensions are 3:2.

The flag of Cuba influenced the design of the flag of the Philippines as Cuba's revolution against Spain inspired, to some degree, the Philippine Revolution.

The flag of Cuba also influenced the design of the "Lone Star flag" (Estelada) of the Catalan movement for independence from Spain; the numerous Catalan residents in Cuba during the independence process added a blue triangle with a white star to the national flag to design a battle flag for the independence movement in Catalonia.

National flags	National coats of arms
Flags of sovereign states	Coats of arms of sovereign states
Flags of dependent territories	Coats of arms of dependent territories
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Flags of micronations	Coats of arms of micronations
Flags of formerly independent states

• Cuba at Flags of the World
• Cuba Flags — A historical insight into the flag and emblems of Cuba