10年戰爭爆發於1868年10月10日,在東方省巴亞莫市律師卡洛斯·曼努埃爾·德·塞斯佩德斯的領導下,一群獨派人士呼籲為了自由和獨立的島嶼(古巴為島嶼)而在德馬哈瓜(La Demajagua)甘蔗園發動起義。在頭幾天,起義幾乎失敗。塞斯佩德斯10月11日攻打小鎮亞拉(Yara),未成功,只有塞斯佩德斯等12人逃脫。10月10日在古巴被作為全國性節日(亞拉呼聲,Grito de Yara)紀念。其後塞斯佩德斯帶頭解放自己的奴隸,到10月底重新聚集的起義軍約有12000名。
Thomas, Hugh Swynnerton (1973). From Spanish domination to American domination, 1762–1909. Volume I of Cuba: the struggle for freedom, 1762–1970 . Barcelona; Mexico: Grijalbo, pp. 337. Edition of Neri Daurella. ISBN9788425302916.
José Andrés-Gallego (1981). General History of Spain and America: Revolution and Restoration: (1868–1931) . Madrid: Rialp Editions, pp. 271. ISBN978-8-43212-114-2. 20,000 Spaniards and 35,000 Cubans.
as estimated by José Martí in his work "The Revolution of 1868" cited by Samuel Silva Gotay in "Catholicism and politics in Puerto Rico: under Spain and the United States" p. 39