Today in History: U.S.S. Maine Sunk
Today in History–February 15–the Library of Congress features the Spanish-American War, sparked on this date in 1898 when an explosion sank the battleship U.S.S. Maine in the Havana, Cuba harbor, killing 266 of the 354 crew members. Two months later, President William McKinley announced a state of war with Spain on April 25, 1898. Learn more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to learn even more from primary sources.
Panoramic images of the wreck of the U.S.S. Maine
Wreck of the battleship “Maine” 1898 film
“Remember the ‘Maine'” Written by Arthur H. MacOwen for the occasion of the benefit performance given at the Academy of Music, Philadelphia, on Friday, March 11th, 1898, in aid of the survivors from the blowing up of the U. S. S. ‘Maine” sheet music
“The Battle of Manila. The Destruction of the Spanish Fleet Described by Eye-Witnesses. I. Narrative” The Century: A Popular Quarterly Volume 56, Issue 4, Aug. 1898
Selected newspaper articles related to the Sinking of the Maine (includes brief timeline & search strategies)
Related resources