The Grito de Capotillo is considered the act that began the Dominican Restoration War that sought the Independence of Dominican Republic from the Kingdom of Spain. This act, initiated by Santiago Rodríguez Masagó on August 16, 1863, was the third (and final) proclamation of Dominican independence from an occupying force, succeeding prior proclamations such as the formations of The Republic of Spanish Haiti and the First Dominican Republic of 1821 and 1844, respectively.