Antonio Maceo was born in Santiago De Cuba on July 14, 1845 the first of nine children. His father Marcos Maceo came to Santiago from Venezula in 1823 after some of his comrades were exiled from South America. His father met and married Manana Brajales, a black woman of Dominican ancestry, who was a widow with four sons. Antonio, the oldest of the children, inherited similar qualities of military leadership from his father. He was a successful entrepreneur and farmer and was later recognized as an outstanding general in the military who was referred to as "The Bronze Titan" after his death in battle by his loyal followers.

His historical impact began when Carlos Manuel de Cespedes, a plantation owner, freed his slaves to fight for Cuba's independence from Spain. Maceo and his family also did the same. Antonio joined the liberal army called Mambi Army (a Congolese name). Maceo rose quickly in the ranks and was highly respected and loved. Unfortunately, the revolt was not a success. Maceo fled Cuba knowing he could not and would not submit to the Spanish. Maceo realized that he would not give up and therefore, planned another invasion with a fellow comrade Calixto Garcia in New York. He called this the War of Independence. Thereafter, Maceo lead East-to-West invasions were he lost his life in early December of 1896. Maceo died trying to meet with Maximo Gomez to share his plans for continuous attacks against those he perceived as enemies. Maceo was quoted as having a strict motto, "My duties to Patria and to my own political convictions are above all human effort; for these I shall reach the pedestal of freedom or I shall perish fighting for the redemption of that land.." (Nov. 3, 1890).