Spanish-American War Era

Tension between the United States and Spain had been building up since October 13, 1873 when a sailing vessel, the ‘Virginius,” flying the American flag, was seized by the Spanish war steamer ‘Tornado” on the suspicion that it was conveying munitions to Cuban insurrectionists. A revolt against Spain erupted in Cuba in 1895, and as the fighting dragged out over the subsequent years, concern in America increased. As a protective measure for American interests, the United States, in January 1898, dispatched the battleship U.S.S. Maine to the harbor of Havana. On the fateful night of February 15 a tremendous explosion sent the U.S.S. Maine to the bottom of that harbor. Two hundred and sixty-six officers and men of the United States Navy met sudden death in the twisted wreckage. News of the catastrophe sent shock waves all over America.