Uss olympia art nh 91881 kn cropped

Spanish-American War Timeline

  • February 1898

    February 1898
    Events in this month lead to the Spanish-American War.
  • USS Maine sinks

    USS Maine sinks
    A massive explosion supposedly caused by Spain sinks the battleship USS Maine in Cuba. This explosion caused more than 260 people to die aboard. This explosion was the start of the Spanish-American War.
  • McKinley declares war with Spain

    McKinley declares war with Spain
    President William McKinley asks Congress to declare war on Spain. McKinley originally tried to afford conflict with Spain, but with yellow journalism criticizing McKinley he was forced to declare war.
  • US troops in Cuba

    US troops in Cuba
    U.S. troops land in Cuba, to start the war with the Spanish.
  • The Battle of San Juan Hill

    The Battle of San Juan Hill
    U.S. forces defeat the Spanish at the Battle of San Juan Heights. This is one of the best known battles of the Spanish-American War,
  • Battle of Santiago de Cuba

    Battle of Santiago de Cuba
    U.S. forces destroy the Spanish Fleet off Santiago Bay, Cuba. This war sealed an American victory in the Spanish-American War.
  • The Surrender of Santiago

    The Surrender of Santiago
    The Spanish surrenders at Santiago. Making the war over and the Americans the victors of the war.
  • Armistice ends the Spanish-American War

    Armistice ends the Spanish-American War
    The U.S. and Spain sign the Protocol of Peace. This was signed to end hostilities between the two.
  • Treaty Of Paris

    Treaty Of Paris
    The Treaty of Paris is signed by representatives from the U.S. and Spain. This took place only after extensive debate between the two.