Spanish-American War

Cuban patriot José Martín supports independence movement; Latin communities in U.S. give support to Cuban and Philippine rebels.
José Martín visits Tampa and Ybor City and challenges all in a speech which begins: “For Cuba who suffers, the first word …” Cuban patriot Jos éMart ín; supports independence movement; Latin communities in U.S. give support to Cuban and Philippine rebels.
Jos é Mart ín visits Tampa and Ybor City and challenges all in a speech which begins: “For Cuba who suffers, the first word …”

“Cuba Libre!” President William McKinley Administration’s support for liberation movement expands.

As the Cuban Rebellion intensifies, U.S. newspaper publishers expose brutality. It’s the era of “Yellow Journalism.” Some say.
Winston Churchill, a young war correspondent, visits and stays at the Tampa Bay Hotel. The hotel becomes a center of community support for the insurrection in Cuba.

As U.S. - Spanish relations deteriorate in light of heavy-handed Spanish brutality, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Theodore Roosevelt, promotes naval preparedness.

USS Maine is blown up in Havana Harbor. Disaster increases U.S. outrage aimed at Spain and prompts an internal Naval Court of Inquiry.

Local Hispanic and business sectors in Tampa unite in support of Cuban rebels; after the loss of the USS Maine supporting demonstrations and parades are held in Tampa.

United States declares war on Spain alerting its Atlantic and Pacific Naval Fleets for action and assembling Army Units in anticipation of foreign campaigns.

While the 1st Volunteer Cavalry (Rough Riders) is being organized, the first army arrivals reach Tampa; some dressed in blue, some in gray.

Naval units under Commodore George Dewey engage a Spanish fleet at the Battle of Manila Bay; Dewey: “You May fire when you are ready, Gridley…”

Tampa pauses to remember the Virginius Affair in which the ship and crew was captured by Spanish authorities. It’s captain, Joseph Fry, a Tampa native, was executed.

The U.S. Army continues to assemble at Tampa, Florida, and is ordered to Cuba as any residual North/South tensions in the ranks ease.

The embarkation at Tampa is less than organized. The popular song of the day was “…A Hot Time in the Old Town, Tonight…” The old town is known to be Tampa.

The Cuban Campaign gets underway and the Army gets its first taste of war at the Battle of Las Guasimas. In the Pacific, Guam is captured.

The troopers shipped from Tampa are blooded at Las Guasimas. The first hints of inadequate medical support surface as illness takes more troops from the front line.

U.S. forces including regular units, the Buffalo Soldiers and the Rough Riders engage the Spanish at the Battles on San Juan Hill. Roosevelt earns the Medal of Honor.

As the U.S. Army in Cuba triumphs at San Juan Hill, Tampa-based soldiers are transferred to prepare for wartime roles and duties in other theatres.

The U.S. Navy under Admirals William T. Sampson and Winfield Scott Schley defeats a second Spanish fleet trying to flee at Santiago Bay, Cuba.

Tampa and Hillsborough County continues to serve as major supply and replenishment port for forces in Cuba while planning for expanded post-war trade.

After a brief attack, U.S. forces under General Nelson A. Miles move ashore and occupy the island of Puerto Rico at Guanica.

Tampa had a long and mutually-beneficial relationship with the people of Puerto Rico. This 300-year legacy continues to this day.

The U.S. and Spain agree to end hostilities; they negotiate and ratify the Treaty of Paris (1898). Spain cedes the Philippines, Guam and Puerto Rico; U.S. occupies Cuba.

Tampa sees the last of the Spanish American War soldiers and sailors. The Rough Riders and many other army regiments are disbanded.