Talyn
SAINT
On February 15, 1898, the battleship USS Maine exploded in Havana’s harbor in Cuba. The explosion killed 266 of the 354 crew members.
The tragedy occurred after years of escalating tensions between the United States and Spain, and the “yellow press” and public opinion were quick to blame Spain. While the sinking of the Maine was not a direct cause of the Spanish-American War, it did accelerate the breakdown in diplomatic relations between the US and Spain. “Remember the Maine, to Hell with Spain!” became a rallying cry.
What happened?
The tragedy occurred after years of escalating tensions between the United States and Spain, and the “yellow press” and public opinion were quick to blame Spain. While the sinking of the Maine was not a direct cause of the Spanish-American War, it did accelerate the breakdown in diplomatic relations between the US and Spain. “Remember the Maine, to Hell with Spain!” became a rallying cry.
What happened?
- The Maine was sent to Havana to protect U.S. interests during the Cuban War of Independence.
- The explosion occurred in the forward gunpowder magazines of the ship.
- The American press blamed Spain for the explosion.
- A U.S. Navy board of inquiry ruled that the ship was sunk by an external explosion from a mine.
- In 1976, a U.S. Navy investigation found that the ship likely sank due to a coal bunker fire.
- The sinking of the Maine led to a naval blockade of Cuba and a declaration of war on Spain by Congress on April 25, 1898.
- By the end of summer, Spain had ceded Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines to the United States.
- The phrase "Remember the Maine" became a rallying cry for the American public.
"Remember the Maine!" [ushistory.org]
www.ushistory.org
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