(1) On this day in 1898 (just one week after my grandmother’s birth), The USS Maine exploded in Havana Harbor, sparking the Spanish-American War.
Spain was blamed, hyped by two American newspapers (“Yellow Journalism”). The war slogan became “Remember the Maine and to hell with Spain.”
Spain was blamed, hyped by two American newspapers (“Yellow Journalism”). The war slogan became “Remember the Maine and to hell with Spain.”
Comments
* The war lasted four months.
* We acquired Guam, Puerto Rico and the Philippines.
* Spain gave up its claim on Cuba (ending their colonial presence in the New World).
* We annexed Hawaii.
* The US became a global power.
* Fewer than 400 soldiers died in battle, but thousands died of disease in Cuba, mainly from yellow fever.
* Today, the main mast of the Maine stands above the burial ground of its lost 230 crew members in Arlington National Cemetery.