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DeLome Letter
The letter contained these derogatory comments about President McKinley and his policies concerning Cuba: Besides the natural and inevitable coarseness with which he repeats all that the press and public opinion of Spain have said of Weyler, "It shows once more that McKinley is weak and catering to the rabble and, besides, a low politician who desires to leave a door open to himself and to stand well with the jingos of his party." Somehow, Dupuy de Lôme's letter fell into the hands of Cuban re -
Sinking of the USS Maine
An explosion of unknown origin sank the Maine on February 15, killing 260 American servicemen. Many Americans believed the Spanish were responsible and rallied behind Hearst's now infamous battle cry, "Remember the Maine, to hell with Spain." -
US Declaration of the War on Spain
Although Spain had ordered an armistice in early April, on April 21, the United States declared war against Spain. The U.S. government immediately imposed a naval blockage of Cuba and attacked the Spanish fleet at Manila in the Philippines to achieve command of the sea and preclude reinforcement and resupply of the Spanish overseas forces. -
Attack on Manila Bay
The Battle of Manila Bay took place on 1 May 1898, during the Spanish-American War. The American Asiatic Squadron under Commodore George Dewey engaged and destroyed the Spanish Pacific Squadron under Admiral Patricio Montojo. The battle took place in Manila Bay in the Philippines, and was the first major engagement of the Spanish-American War. The battle was one of the most decisive naval battles in history and marked the end of the Spanish colonial period in Philippine history. -
Battle of San Juan Hill
The Battle of San Juan Hill (July 1, 1898), also known as the battle for the San Juan Heights, was a decisive battle of the Spanish–American War. The San Juan heights was a north-south running elevation about two kilometers east of Santiago de Cuba, Cuba. The names San Juan Hill and Kettle Hill were given to the location by the Americans. This fight for the heights was the bloodiest and most famous battle of the war. -
Treaty of Parris
Spain and the United States then agreed to a peace treaty on December 10, 1898 in Paris, France. Called the Treaty of Paris, the treaty awarded independence to Cuba, held Spain responsible for the Cuban debt, ceded Puerto Rico and Guam to the United States, and sold the Philippines to the United States for $20 million.
