apr 21, 1898 - Spanish American War

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The war came from the Cuban struggle for independence from Spain, which began in February 1895. Spain announced a truce on April 9 and sped up its program to grant Cuba limited powers of self-government. However, the U.S. Congress issued proposals that declared Cuba’s right to independence, demanded the withdrawal of Spain’s armed forces from the island, and authorized the use of force by President William McKinley to ensure withdrawal, while rejecting any U.S. plans for annexing Cuba. Spain declared war on the United States on April 24, followed by a U.S. declaration of war on the 25th, which was made retroactive to April 21. The war ended with the Treaty of Paris (signed on December 10, 1898) where Spain relinquished claim to Cuba, ceded Guam and Puerto Rico to the United States, and transferred sovereignty over the Philippines to the United States for $20 million.

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