On February 15, 1898, the U.S. battleship Maine exploded in Havana Harbor, an incident that marked a significant turning point in U.S. history and international relations. The explosion resulted in the loss of over 250 crew members and was widely publicized, leading to a surge of public outrage in the United States. Many Americans blamed Spain for the explosion, although the exact cause remains a subject of debate among historians. This event played a crucial role in igniting the Spanish-American War, as it intensified anti-Spanish sentiment and motivated the U.S. to intervene in Cuba's struggle for independence from Spanish colonial rule. The war ultimately led to significant changes in the geopolitical landscape of the Caribbean and the emergence of the United States as a global power. Understanding the context of the Maine's explosion helps illuminate the complexities of U.S.-Cuba relations and the broader implications of imperialism at the time. The incident is viewed differently across cultures, reflecting the historical narratives shaped by varying perspectives on colonialism and national identity.