Arbor Day in Cuba is observed on June 21 and has its origins in a celebration that began on October 4, 1904, when a group of activists from Vedado, a neighborhood in Havana, proposed the day to commemorate the independence uprising led by Carlos Manuel de Céspedes. The tradition of planting trees was actively promoted in Havana for the next decade, leading to calls for a national Tree Festival. In 1999, the National Botanic Garden advocated for the official establishment of Arbor Day on June 21, inviting students, elderly people, and farmers to participate in the inaugural event, which was held in two schools. Over the years, the number of participating schools increased, and by 2005, the festival was officially coordinated by government officials. The event emphasizes community involvement in tree planting and environmental stewardship.