1898 was a pivotal year, marked by significant political upheaval, scientific breakthroughs, cultural developments, and technological advancements. The year saw the rise of imperialism and colonial expansion, especially impacting the United States.
Political and Military Events
February 15: Sinking of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor. The USS Maine, an American battleship, exploded in Havana harbor, Cuba, killing 266 American sailors. Though the cause was disputed, the event inflamed public opinion in the United States and contributed significantly to the outbreak of the Spanish-American War.
April 21: Start of the Spanish-American War. Following a period of heightened tensions, the United States declared war on Spain. The conflict was largely fought over Cuban independence and quickly expanded to include the Philippines.
May 1: Battle of Manila Bay. In a decisive naval engagement, the U.S. Asiatic Squadron, commanded by Commodore George Dewey, destroyed the Spanish fleet in Manila Bay, Philippines. This victory gave the United States a strong foothold in the Pacific.
June 20 – August 13: Spanish-American War: The United States invaded and captured Guam, then an overseas province of Spain.
June 22 – 24: Landing at Daiquirí, Cuba, and beginning of the Santiago campaign. U.S. forces landed in Cuba to fight the Spanish in the Santiago region.
July 1: Battle of San Juan Hill. U.S. forces, including the "Rough Riders" led by Theodore Roosevelt, captured San Juan Hill in Cuba after a fierce battle against Spanish defenders. This victory was a turning point in the Santiago campaign.
July 3: Battle of Santiago de Cuba. The U.S. Navy decisively defeated the Spanish fleet off the coast of Santiago de Cuba, effectively ending Spanish naval power in the region and securing a major victory for the United States.
July 7: The United States annexed Hawaii. The United States formally annexed the Republic of Hawaii, solidifying its presence in the Pacific. This followed years of increasing American influence in the islands and was further prompted by the strategic importance of Hawaii during the Spanish-American War.
August 12: End of the Spanish-American War. An armistice was signed between the United States and Spain, bringing an end to the fighting.
December 10: Treaty of Paris. Spain formally ceded Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines to the United States in exchange for $20 million. This marked the end of Spanish colonial power and the rise of the United States as a global power.
Formation of the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan: Following the defeat of the Mahdist State, the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan was established as a condominium, jointly ruled by Britain and Egypt.
Scientific and Technological Events
Marie and Pierre Curie isolated radium and polonium. Building on Henri Becquerel's discovery of radioactivity, Marie and Pierre Curie successfully isolated the radioactive elements radium and polonium. This groundbreaking work revolutionized the fields of physics and chemistry, paving the way for new applications in medicine and industry.
Camillo Golgi observed the Golgi apparatus. Italian physician and scientist Camillo Golgi made a significant contribution to cell biology with his discovery and observation of the Golgi apparatus, an organelle found in eukaryotic cells responsible for processing and packaging proteins and lipids.
Cultural Events
Publication of "The War of the Worlds" by H.G. Wells. H.G. Wells published his seminal science fiction novel, "The War of the Worlds," which depicted a Martian invasion of Earth. The novel explored themes of imperialism, societal collapse, and the vulnerability of humanity in the face of advanced alien technology.
Other Notable Events
October 8: The Iquitos Expedition begins. The expedition was an attempt to navigate and map the Amazon River.