The Spanish–American War commenced.

Spain and the United States clashed in the Spanish-American War, marking a turning point in the former's decline as a colonial power. The conflict began when tensions escalated between Spain and the US over Spain's harsh treatment of the Cuban people during their fight for independence. The explosion of the USS Maine in Havana harbor fueled the fire, and on April 25, 1898, war was declared. The United States aimed to liberate Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines from Spanish control. The war was short-lived but had significant repercussions. Spain's outdated military technology quickly succumbed to the modern firepower of the US, leading to their defeat in the Caribbean and Pacific. This outcome led to the end of Spanish colonial rule in the Americas and the Pacific, as well as the rise of the United States as a global power. The war highlighted Spain's declining influence on the world stage and sparked drastic changes in their foreign policy. #SpanishAmericanWar #EndOfSpanishColonialRule #USPowerRise