What event led to the United States declaring war on Spain in 1898?

The explosion of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor on February 15, 1898, was a pivotal event that directly contributed to the United States declaring war on Spain. The USS Maine was a U.S. Navy battleship sent to protect American interests during the Cuban struggle for independence from Spanish rule. When the ship mysteriously exploded, killing 266 sailors, it sparked outrage and a rallying cry for war among the American public and newspapers.

The explosion was highly sensationalized by the media, particularly by the "yellow journalism" of that time, which blamed Spain for the incident without definitive evidence. This intense public sentiment played a crucial role in influencing the U.S. government’s decision to declare war. The phrase "Remember the Maine!" became a popular slogan that encapsulated the growing call for military action against Spain. Ultimately, the explosion became the catalyst that triggered the Spanish-American War, highlighting the interplay between media, public opinion, and diplomatic relations in the context of imperialism.