On June 7, 1898, U.S. Marines landed at Guantánamo Bay during the Spanish-American War. The operation secured a key foothold on the island. American forces faced resistance but soon captured strategic positions. This landing helped pave the way for later battles at Santiago and San Juan Hill. The war resulted in major territorial gains for the United States. Guantánamo Bay later became a long-term U.S. naval base.
