US-Cuba relationship timeline: All you need to know about it

In a major diplomatic move, US and Cuba have agreed to re-establish full diplomatic relation between both the nations. Diplomatic ties between US and Cuba were severed in 1961 in the heat of the Cold War.

Here are the important facts need to know about US-Cuba relationship

• Cuba got independence in 1902 with Tomas Estrada Palma as its president.

• Soon after Estrada's resignation (1906-09) US occupied Cuba following a rebellion led by Jose Miguel Gomez.

• Jose Miguel Gomez was election as Cuba' president in an election held under supervision of US IN 1909.

• Fidel Castro leads an unsuccessful revolt against the coup leader Sergeant Fulgencio Batista regime in 1953.

• Castro leads a 9,000-strong guerrilla army into Havana, forcing Batista to flee. Castro becomes prime minister in 1959.

• 1960: All US businesses in Cuba are nationalised without compensation; US breaks off diplomatic relations with Havana and imposes a trade embargo in response to Castro's reforms.

• In 1996 US trade embargo made permanent in response to Cuba's shooting down of two US aircraft operated by Miami-based Cuban exiles.

• 1998: The US eases restrictions on the sending of money to relatives by Cuban Americans.

• Nov 2001: US exports food to Cuba for the first time in more than 40 years after a request from the Cuban government to help it cope with the aftermath of Hurricane Michelle.

• On February 24, 2008, Fidel Castro retires after a long illness and formally hands over the presidency to his brother, Raúl Castro.

• US President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro announced the restoration of full diplomatic ties.

• US and Cuba have agreed to re-establish full diplomatic relation between both the nations on July 1, 2015. Both the countries will open embassies in each other's capital on July 20, 2015.