Tomás Estrada Palma

President of Cuba

6, 1832 Bayamo, Spanish Cuba

November 4, 1908(1908-11-04) (73) Santiago de Cuba, Cuba

20 May 1902 – 28 September 1906

1st President of Cuba (1902-06) Tomás Estrada Palma (c. July 6, 1832 – November 4, 1908) was a Cuban politician and the first President of Cuba. Initially he was the President of the Cuban Republic in Arms during the Ten Years' War and again between May 20, 1902, and September 28, 1906. His collateral career as a New York City Area Educator and writer enabled Estrada Palma to create Pro-Cuban literature aimed at gaining sympathy, assistance and publicity. He was eventually successful in garnering the attention of influential Americans. He was an early and persistent voice calling for the United States to intervene in Cuba on humanitarian grounds. He was the first President of Cuba, between May 20, 1902, and September 28, 1906. During his presidency his major accomplishments include improving Cuba's infrastructure, communication, and public health. He is remembered in Cuba for allowing the Platt Amendment to be enacted, which ensured American political and economic dominance over Cuba.