The sinking of what ship led to the Spanish American War in 1898?

The sinking of what ship led to the Spanish American War in 1898?

The sinking of the U.S. Navy battleship USS Maine led to the Spanish-American War in 1898. The ship exploded and sank in Havana Harbor, Cuba, on the evening of February 15, 1898, killing 266 American sailors and officers and shocking the American public.

While the exact cause of the explosion remains a historical debate (some investigations point to an external mine, while later studies suggest an internal coal bunker fire next to a magazine), contemporary American public opinion quickly placed the blame squarely on Spain. Sensationalist journalism, known as Yellow Journalism, seized on the tragedy, using headlines to inflame public sentiment. The rallying cry, “Remember the Maine! To hell with Spain!” quickly gained widespread traction and became a significant catalyst that propelled the United States toward war, which was officially declared in April 1898.

Source:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrWG-2O363Y

https://www.threads.com/@beliproduk.official/post/DRS6LQEkjH_