U.S.S. Maine
The battleship U.S.S. Maine’s mission from Washington was a friendly one: travel to Cuba to protect America’s interests on the island as Spain’s “Campaign of Suppression” was in full force. But on February 15, 1898 an onboard explosion killed 260 officers. At the time it was believed that a mine, placed by Spain, had struck the ship. A U.S. and Cuban alliance formed and demanded Spain leave the island. Spain instead declared war and so did the U.S. Congress which launched the Spanish-American War in 1898. But, the U.S.S. Maine wasn’t hit by a mine at all…
