Calixto Garcia was born on August 4, 1839 in Holguin. Garcia was of Cuban-Creole descent and was a large, strong, educated man with a short fuse. Garcia was the grandson of Calixto Garcia de Luna e Izquierdo. Garcia's grandfather had fought in the Battle of Carabobo in what is now called Venezuela. His grandfather (who had dropped the aristocratic "de Luna" upon taking refuge in Cuba) had been jailed on March 18, 1837 for demanding emancipation of slaves, constitutional freedom for all, and allegedly trying to hang a priest who opposed him. August 4 is the 216th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (217th in leap years), with 149 days remaining. ... 1839 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... The term Creole is used with different meanings in different contexts, which can generate confusion. ... The Battle of Carabobo was fought between South American patriots led by Simon Bolivar and Spain. ... March 18 is the 77th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (78th in leap years). ... 1837 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ...

Around the age of 18, the younger Garcia, taking after his grandfather, joined with a Cuban uprising. Garcia fought against Spanish colonial rule for five years until his arrest. In an attempt to avoid imprisonment, Garcia shot himself, but survived. He was imprisoned until the Pact of Zanjon was signed in 1878. Garcia travelled to Paris and New York between imprisonments. In keeping to his quest, Garcia joined Maceo in the Little War from 1879 to 1880 as well as the Cuban War of Independence. Maceo could be: General Antonio Maceo Grajales, a Cuban general. ... 1879 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... 1880 was a leap year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ...

Garcia died at the age of 59.