February 15 in American History

February 15, 1898 — the USS Maine explodes in Havana Harbor

The American battleship Maine blew up in Havana, killing 266 sailors. The cause was never firmly established, but a sensational press blamed Spain — "Remember the Maine!" — and the country stampeded into the Spanish-American War. A murky disaster, amplified by hungry newspapers, tipped a nation into a war.

Common Questions

What happened on February 15 in American history?

In 1898: the USS Maine explodes in Havana Harbor. The American battleship Maine blew up in Havana, killing 266 sailors.

Why is February 15 significant?

The American battleship Maine blew up in Havana, killing 266 sailors. The cause was never firmly established, but a sensational press blamed Spain — "Remember the Maine!" — and the country stampeded into the Spanish-American War. A murky disaster, amplified by hungry newspapers, tipped a nation into a war.

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