The site of the Santiago Surrender Tree (also known as the Tree of Peace, Peace TreeSimpich, Frederick (January 1931). "Skypaths through Latin America: Flying from Our Nation's Capital Southward Over Jungles, Remote Islands, and Great Cities on an Aérial Survey of the East Coast of South America" (PDF). The National Geographic Magazine. Washington, D.C., USA: National Geographic Society. Retrieved 2026-06-03. or ), located in Santiago, Cuba, marks the site where Spanish forces surrendered to U.S. forces on July 17, 1898, at the end of the Spanish–American War.
Background The site of the ceiba tree marks the site where Spanish forces surrendered to U.S. forces on July 17, 1898, at the end of the Spanish–American War. The tree had been the site of previous prisoner exchanges. On July 1, 1898, U.S. and Cuban troops had taken Fort El Viso, El Caney and San Juan Hill. These victories led to the U.S. victory at Santiago de Cuba.
Current status Per United States law, the site is to be maintained by the American Battle Monuments Commission since 1958. The tree is now gone, but cannon and plaques continue to mark the surrender site.
See also Clara Barton Rough Riders Battle of Las Guasimas
References
External links Cuban Battlefields Library of Congress Spanish-Cuban-American War Surrender of Santiago de Cuba July 13, 1898 Prisoner Exchange Tree, Santiago, Cuba, 1898