The Spanish-American War

In January 1898, the United States was a nation watching its neighbor, Cuba, burn. A violent uprising against Spanish colonial rule was raging, and pro-Spanish riots in Havana threatened American lives and property. In response, President William McKinley made a calculated move. He ordered the battleship USS Maine to sail to Havana. Officially, it was a 'mission of courtesy,' a friendly visit that Spain reluctantly accepted. But everyone understood its true purpose: to protect American interests. The ship, with 354 men aboard, arrived on January 25th. Its captain, Charles Sigsbee, ordered his sailors to remain on the vessel to avoid any incidents. For three weeks, the warship sat peacefully in the harbor, a symbol of American power and concern.