The event most responsible for causing the Spanish-American War was the explosion of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor on February 15, 1898. The USS Maine had been sent to Cuba to protect American interests during the Cuban War of Independence. The explosion resulted in the deaths of 266 American sailors.
Although the exact cause of the explosion remains unclear, the American public and media quickly blamed Spain. Sensationalist journalism, often referred to as “yellow journalism,” fueled public outrage and created a strong push for war. Newspapers like those owned by William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer published exaggerated and often false stories about Spanish atrocities in Cuba, further inflaming public sentiment.
In response to the public outcry, President William McKinley asked Congress for a declaration of war against Spain. On April 25, 1898, Congress declared war, marking the beginning of the Spanish-American War. The war lasted only a few months but had significant consequences, including the end of Spanish colonial rule in the Americas and the emergence of the United States as a global power.