The summer of 1898 was a time of fierce battles, rapid political shifts, and the assertion of American power beyond its mainland borders. On July 25, 1898, the United States launched a decisive invasion of Puerto Rico, a pivotal moment within the larger context of the Spanish–American War that would redefine the destiny of the …
Tag: SpanishAmericanWar
The Spark That Ignited a War: The USS Maine Explosion of 1898
On the night of February 15, 1898, a massive explosion rocked the USS Maine, a U.S. Navy battleship anchored in Havana Harbor, Cuba. The blast tore through the vessel, killing 266 American sailors and plunging the nation into mourning. The mysterious destruction of the Maine became the catalyst for the Spanish-American War, fueling tensions between …