American History · 1898

The Spanish-American War

A splendid little war. In a few short months of 1898 the United States went to war with Spain, freed Cuba, seized an overseas empire, and announced itself as a world power — the events of the war, from the Maine to the peace.

1898

The year of the war

Events & battles

Empire

Cuba to the Philippines

The War of 1898

Events & Battles

From the explosion in Havana harbor to the peace that gave America an empire.

overview

Overview

The War of 1898

A short video overview of the war that made the United States a world power.

february 1898

February 1898

Sinking of the Maine

The explosion in Havana harbor that pushed the nation toward war.

may 1898

May 1898

Battle of Manila Bay

Commodore Dewey’s squadron destroys the Spanish fleet in the Philippines.

spring 1898

Spring 1898

Mobilization

America raises and equips an army for a war it was not ready to fight.

june 1898

June 1898

Landing in Cuba

American forces go ashore near Santiago to take the fight to Spain.

july 1898

July 1898

Battle of San Juan Hill

Roosevelt and the Rough Riders charge into legend outside Santiago.

july 1898

July 1898

Santiago Captured

The destruction of the Spanish fleet and the fall of Santiago.

august 1898

August 1898

Manila Captured

The capture of Manila brings the war in the Philippines to a close.

aftermath

Aftermath

An empire won — Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippines, and a new world power.

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