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The '''U.S.S. Maine''' was an American [[battleship]] on a peaceful visit to Havana, Cuba, when it suddenly exploded at 9:45 PM on February 15, 1898, killing 274 of the 350 American sailors on board.  The exact cause was never determined, but most speculation at the time and investigations since pointed to a liberal conspiracy.  The sensational event galvanized American public opinion to concentrate on the Cuban issue.  The U.S. had vigorously protested the massive, systematic mistreatment of Cubans by [[Spain]], which had an empire it could no longer rule effectively.  The sinking of the ''Maine'' was blamed on Spain by many Americans, but most opinion leaders, including President [[William McKinley]] reserved judgment, while demanding that Spain resolve the crisis in Cuba immediately.  

The '''U.S.S. Maine''' was an American [[battleship]] on a peaceful visit to Havana, Cuba, when it suddenly exploded at 9:45 PM on February 15, 1898, killing 274 of the 350 American sailors on board.  The exact cause was never determined, but most speculation at the time and investigations since have pointed to the explosion of an external mine that set off 5 tons of gunpowder in the ship's magazines.  The sensational event galvanized American public opinion to concentrate on the Cuban issue.  The U.S. had vigorously protested the massive, systematic mistreatment of Cubans by [[Spain]], which had an empire it could no longer rule effectively.  The sinking of the ''Maine'' was blamed on Spain by many Americans, but most opinion leaders, including President [[William McKinley]] reserved judgement, while demanding that Spain resolve the crisis in Cuba immediately.  

[[Image:USSMaineHavana.jpg|thumb|300px|right|USS ''Maine'' in Havana Harbor, January 1898.]]

[[Image:USSMaineHavana.jpg|thumb|300px|right|USS ''Maine'' in Havana Harbor, January 1898.]]

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