Afikoman (Hebrew: ×Ö²×¤Ö´××§×Ö¹×Ö¸×â, based on Greek epikomon [á¼Ïá½¶ Îºá¿¶Î¼Î¿Î½] or epikomion [á¼ÏÎ¹ÎºÏÎ¼Î¹Î¿Î½], meaning that which comes after or dessert)[1] is a half-piece of matzo which is broken in two during the early stages of the Passover Seder and set aside to be eaten as a dessert after the meal.
Cuba Gains Independence Cuba was a Spanish colony until Spain's defeat in the Spanish-American War. The war originated in the Cuban struggle for independence but the United States had a bigger role than Spain. In the nineteenth century, many Americans believed in Manifest Destiny, an idea the United States should control or influence North and South America and the Caribbean islands.
In 1902, Cuba was given its independence, but basically remained a protectorate of the United States. The Platt Amendment to the Cuban Constitution forbade Cubans to enter into any treaty or other compact with any foreign power or powers and to take up public debt. Furthermore, it allowed a right for the U.S. military to intervene in Cuba and establish military bases there (that's why there is Guantanamo).