What incident in 1898 involved the explosion of a U.S. battleship, leading to heightened tensions with Spain?

The incident that involved the explosion of a U.S. battleship in 1898, which significantly heightened tensions with Spain, is known as the sinking of the USS Maine. On February 15, 1898, the Maine sank in Havana Harbor under mysterious circumstances, resulting in the deaths of 266 sailors. The media at the time, particularly through sensationalist reporting often referred to as "yellow journalism," heavily blamed Spain for the incident, despite the lack of definitive evidence linking them to the attack. This event fueled American public opinion against Spain, contributing to the outbreak of the Spanish-American War just a few months later. The rallying cry "Remember the Maine!" became synonymous with the call for action against Spanish rule in Cuba, demonstrating how this incident played a crucial role in shaping U.S. foreign policy and military engagement in the late 19th century.