The Spanish-American War By APerdue Mar 4, 1897 William McKinley is swarn in as the 25th President of the United States Jan 3, 1898 Cuban rebels start riots in the streets of Havana, Cuba Feb 15, 1898 The warship USS Maine which is docked in Havana harbor blows up, killing 260 people Feb 16, 1898 Yellow journalists blame the Spanish for the explosion of the Maine and create the slogan "Remember the Maine" Feb 28, 1898 Theodore Roosevelt wires Commodore Dewey in Hong Kong, he tells him to prepare for possible military action in the Philippines Apr 19, 1898 Congress recognizes Cuban independence and tells Spanish to leave immediately Apr 25, 1898 Congress declares war on Spain May 1, 1898 Commodore Dewey destroys most of the Spanish fleet in the Philippines after a surprise attack. May 6, 1898 Theodore Roosevelt resigns the position of assistant secretary of the Navy to start volunteer cavalry regiment. May 15, 1898 Theodore Roosevelt starts service with the First Regiment of U.S. Cavalry Volunteers, popularly known as the Rough Riders May 15, 1898 William Randolph Hearst says "You furnish the pictures, and I'll funish the war" to American artist Fredric Remington May 19, 1898 Spanish fleet enters the harbor at Santiago Jul 1, 1898 The Battle of San Juan Hill-the Rough Riders and the 9th and 10th African American regiments fight in a long battle Jul 3, 1898 The Spanish leave Cuba for Puerto Rico, officialy surrendering the island of Cuba to the US Aug 13, 1898 Spanish forces pull out of Puerto Rico and sign an armistice officialy ending the Spanish-American War Aug 14, 1898 The majority of American forces arrive back in Montauk, Long Island and are subject to quarantine Dec 10, 1898 The Treaty of Paris is signed and the U.S. gains Puerto Rico and Guam, we buy the Philippines from Spain for 20 million. Feb 6, 1899 The Senate ratifies the Treaty of Paris.