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The USS Maine explodes off the coast of Havana
The battleship USS Maine, moored in Havana’s harbor, sank after being rocked by two explosions; 252 men onboard were killed. -
Spain announces an armistice with Cuba
The Spanish-American War comes to an end when Spain formally agrees to a peace protocol on U.S. terms: the cession of Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Manila in the Philippines to the United States pending a final peace treaty. -
McKinley asks for declaration of war with Spain
McKinley originally tried to avoid an armed conflict with Spain, but the American media, led by newspaper baron Randolph Hearst, lambasted McKinley as weak and whipped up popular sentiment for a war to give Cubans their independence. -
The Battle of san Juan Hill
On July 1 U.S. General William Shafter ordered an attack on the village of El Caney and San Juan Hill. He hoped to capture El Caney before starting the war of San Juan Hill, but the 500 Spanish defenders of the village put up and held off 10 times their number for most of the day. -
The Battle of Santiago de Cuba
This was a naval battle that occurred in which the United States Navy defeated Spanish forces, sealing American victory in the Spanish–American War and achieving independence for Cuba from Spanish rule. -
The Spanish surrender at Santiago
fought near Santiago de Cuba in the Spanish-American War, in which U.S. successes on land and sea resulted in final victory over the Spaniards. Conference of U.S. generals during the Battle of Santiago, -
The U.S. and Spain sign the Protocol of Peace
Peace protocols were signed in Washington, D.C. on August 12, 1898. Although this armistice ended the active conflict, the war could not be considered over until a treaty was signed. -
The Treaty of Paris is signed by representatives from the U.S. and Spain
The Treaty of Paris officially ended the Spanish-American War. The Spanish empire was virtually dissolved as the United States took over much of Spain’s overseas holdings. Puerto Rico and Guam were ceded to the United States, the Philippines were bought for $20 million, and Cuba became a U.S. protectorate. -
The treaty is ratified by the U.S. senate
Under the treaty, the U.S. acquires control over Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippines.
