What incident sparked the war with Spain?

The sinking of the USS Maine is identified as the incident that ignited the war with Spain, primarily due to the intense public and media reaction it provoked in the United States. On February 15, 1898, the battleship Maine exploded in Havana Harbor, resulting in the deaths of 266 American servicemen. The explosion was widely reported on by the press, which fueled suspicions and accusations against Spain, arguing that it was a deliberate act of sabotage.

This incident came at a time of growing American interest in Cuban independence from Spanish colonial rule, and it galvanized public opinion in favor of war. The cry for "Remember the Maine!" became a rallying call, leading to increased pressure on the U.S. government to take military action against Spain. Consequently, the sinking of the USS Maine is often considered the catalyst that led the United States to declare war on Spain in April 1898, marking the beginning of the Spanish-American War.

The other choices relate to events associated with the larger conflict but are not seen as the direct spark that initiated the war. The invasion of Cuba was a result of the war, the destruction of Santiago occurred during military operations, and the annexation of Puerto Rico was a consequence of the war rather