What significant role did the USS Maine explosion play in American history?

The USS Maine explosion is a pivotal event in American history as it served as a significant catalyst for the United States' entry into the Spanish-American War in 1898. The battleship, which was docked in Havana Harbor, exploded under mysterious circumstances, leading to the deaths of over 250 American sailors. The subsequent outrage in the United States was fueled by sensationalist journalism, often referred to as "yellow journalism," which blamed Spain for the incident without conclusive evidence.

This incident heightened public sentiment against Spain and galvanized support for intervention. The rallying cry "Remember the Maine!" became a slogan that epitomized the call for action and public outrage, directly contributing to the United States declaring war on Spain shortly after the explosion. Thus, the USS Maine explosion is crucially linked to the onset of the Spanish-American War, marking a transformative moment when the United States began to assert itself as a global power.