Remember the Maine, indeed

1898, Spanish-American War: The US battleship USS Maine exploded and sank in Havana Harbor, Cuba, for then unknown reasons, killing more than 260. This event led the United States to declare war on Spain.

The Maine was allegedly sunk by a mine while on a mission to protect American citizens during a Cuban insurrection against Spanish rule. The event prompted US intervention in the Cuban-Spanish conflict on the behalf of Cuba. It became a pretext for war with Spain and the US picked up, among other new properties, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippines in the deal, using its new presence in the Pacific as an excuse for "annexing" the independent nation of Hawai'i later that year. Some have claimed that was the 'maine' idea.

No evidence of sabotage was found, but the Hearst newspapers claimed the ship was intentionally blown up by the Spanish. The accusation increased the newspapers’ circulation and drew the US inevitably towards war with Spain. "Remember the Maine" was used as pretext for setting off the Spanish-American War. The incident is believed by many to have been a false flag operation.

Tagged: usa, war, military, disinfo, disinformation, spain