Transcript Explosion of the USS Maine, Havana Harbor, February 15, 1898

Look at the two headlines and
answer the question on a separate
sheet of paper
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
1. Search for Missing Bride Continues
2. Bride Missing! Groom’s Family
Blame History of Mental Illness
Question:
1. How do the newspaper headlines
differ?
•
Consider the word choice and how the reader
might respond to each article.
Discussion
1. What does each headline imply?
2. Which would you want to read first?
3. Why might different newspapers
choose to present the same event so
differently?
Explosion of the U.S.S. Maine,
Havana Harbor, February 15, 1898
Time frame and Events
•Cuba was colonized by Spain
•Cuban rebels had been fighting
for independence
•Spain was thought to be brutal
in repressing the rebellion
•U.S. had business interest in
Cuba
•President McKinley had sent
the U.S.S. Maine to Cuba.
(Why? To protect American
interest? To prepare for war? To
intimidate Spain? This is
debated by Historians…)
•Maine explodes February 15,
1898
Who sunk the Maine????
Awake United States!
This song was rushed into print between the sinking of the Maine
on February 15, 1898 and the declaration of war on April 25,
1898.
Eagle soar on high, and sound the battle cry!
How proudly sailed the warship Maine,
a Nation’s pride, without a stain!
A wreck she lies, her sailors slain.
By two-faced butchers, paid by Spain!
Eagle soar on high,
And sound the battle cry
Wave the starry flag!
In mud it shall not drag!
Awake United States!
This song was rushed into print between the sinking of the Maine on February 15,
1898 and the declaration of war on April 25, 1898.
Eagle soar on high, and sound the battle cry!
How proudly sailed the warship Maine,
a Nation’s pride, without a stain!
A wreck she lies, her sailors slain.
By two-faced butchers, paid by Spain!
Eagle soar on high,
And sound the battle cry
Wave the starry flag!
In mud it shall not drag!
1.According to the song who sunk the Maine?
2.Does this Prove the Spanish Blew it up?