Topics in Chronicling America - Major Events of the Spanish American War

The U.S.S. Maine explodes and sinks in Havana Harbor on Feb. 15, 1898, killing 266 American sailors. Pressured by the “yellow press,” the U.S. declared war on Spain on April 25, 1898, resulting in the deaths of thousands and the collapse of the Spanish empire. Read more about it!

The information and sample article links below provide access to a sampling of articles from historic newspapers that can be found in the Chronicling America: American Historic Newspapers digital collection (http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/). Use the Suggested Search Terms and Dates to explore this topic further in Chronicling America.

Jump to: Sample Articles

Important Dates:

• April 25, 1898: The U.S. Congress declares war on Spain.
• May 1, 1898: In the first battle between Spanish and American Forces, U.S. Commodore Dewey and his Asiatic squadron defeat the Spanish fleet at Manila Bay in the Philippines.
• June 22, 1898: U.S. troops land in Cuba.
• July 1, 1898: U.S. forces defeat the Spanish at the Battle of San Juan Heights.
• July 3, 1898: U.S. forces destroy the Spanish Fleet off Santiago Bay, Cuba.
• July 17, 1898: The Spanish surrender at Santiago.
• August 12, 1898: The U.S. and Spain sign the Protocol of Peace, ending hostilities between the two.
• December 10, 1898: The Treaty of Paris is signed by representatives from the U.S. and Spain. After extensive debate, the treaty is ratified by the U.S. senate on February 6, 1899. Under the treaty, the U.S. acquires control over Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippines.

Suggested Search Strategies:

• [Try the following terms in combination, proximity, or as phrases using Search Pages in Chronicling America.] Spain, Commodore Dewey, Manila Bay, Cuba, San Juan Hill, Santiago Bay, peace protocol, Paris treaty.
• To narrow search results, search between April 25, 1898 and December 10, 1898. Use the timeline to narrow results further. Ex. Search between May 1, 1898 and May 2, 1898 for articles relating specifically to Dewey's defeat over Spanish forces at Manila.

Sample Articles from Chronicling America:

• "A New Field for American Enterprise--Cuba, Queen of the Antilles," The National Tribune (Washington, DC), April 28, 1898, Page 1, Image 1, col. 1.
• "The Maine is Avenged upon Manila," The Daily Kentuckian (Hopkinsville, KY), May 3, 1898, Page 1, Image 1, col. 1.
• "Glorious Victory of Dewey's Fleet," The San Francisco Call (San Francisco, CA), May 2, 1898, Page 1, Image 1, col. 1.
• "Uncle Sam's Regulars Encamp on Cuban Soil," The Salt Lake Herald (Salt Lake City, UT), June 23, 1898, Page 1, Image 1, col. 1.
• "Scenes in the Camp Life of Our Volunteer Soldiers," The National Tribune (Washington, DC), June 23, 1898, Page 1, Image 1, col. 2.
• "Tremendous Losses in the Two Days' Fighting at the Front," The San Francisco Call (San Francisco, CA), July 3, 1898, Page 1, Image 1,col. 1.
• "Spain's Fleet Destroyed, Ladrone Islands are Ours," The Salt Lake Herald (Salt Lake City, UT), July 4, 1898, Page 1, Image 1, col. 1.
• "Toral Gives up Everything," The New York Tribune (New York, NY), July 17, 1898, Page 1, Image, 1, col. 4.
• "Surrender of Santiago Finally Accomplished," The St. Paul Globe (St. Paul, MN), July 17, 1898, Page 1, Image 1, col. 6.
• "Peace Proclaimed," The Kansas City Journal (Kansas City, MO), August 13, 1898, Page 1, Image 1, col. 5.
• "Signing of the Treaty of Peace," The Scranton Tribune (Scranton, PA), December 12, 1898, Page 1, Image 1, col. 3.
• "Treaty of Peace Ratified," The San Francisco Call (San Francisco, CA), February 7, 1899, Page 3, Image 3, col. 1.