The USS Maine exploded and sank on the evening of February 15, 1898, in Havana Harbor, killing about 266 sailors, or three-quarters of her crew. The explosion obliterated the forward third of the ship, and while the exact cause remains uncertain, the U.S. Navy court of inquiry at the time concluded the ship was destroyed by a mine (an external explosion). However, later investigations and analysis suggest the more likely cause was an internal coal bunker fire that ignited the ammunition magazines. The sinking of the Maine was a key event that escalated tensions between the U.S. and Spain, leading to the Spanish-American War later that year. The rallying cry that emerged from this event was "Remember the Maine!," often extended as "Remember the Maine, to Hell with Spain!" This slogan became a call for U.S. action against Spain and a symbol of American outrage over the sinking, although it was fueled by sensationalist "yellow press" journalism rather than definitive proof of Spanish responsibility.
