Battleship Maine, Click the pic
The Spanish-American War
The Spanish-American War was fought for a number of reasons. These included the cruel treatment of the Cuban people by the Spanish government, yellow journalism, business interests and the fact that the United States government was wanting to flex it's muscles as a world power. The spark that ignited this conflict was the sinking of the US battleship Maine in Havana harbor February 15, 1898. It was assumed that the Spanish government was behind it but never proven. The war lasted from April to August, 1898. This was a war that the United States was unprepared to fight. There was a shortage of everything except volunteers. Teddy Roosevelt would lead one of the most colorful units to fight in this war, The First United States Volunteer Cavalry. This unit was know as Teddy's "Rough Riders".
Battleship Maine, Click the pic
Teddy Roosevelt on San Juan Hill
TNT Rough Riders, Click the pic