Danbury VFW Marks Lesser-Known Wartime Anniversary

DANBURY, CT — Long before a "day that will live in infamy" on Dec. 1, 1941, or the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, there was Feb. 15, 1898.

That's the day the U.S.S. Maine blew up in Havana, Cuba, during a particularly tense period of time between the U.S. and Spain.

While what exactly caused the explosion, which claimed the lives of 260 Americans, has been debated by historians since (was it an accident, was it Spanish sabotage), the incident propelled the U.S. into the Spanish-American War.

And VFW Post 149 has historically hosted a special ceremony every Feb. 15 to mark the tragedy, which gave rise to the war cry at the time of "Remember the Maine, to hell with Spain."

City officials joined local veterans Sunday at Danbury VFW Post 149 to commemorate the 1898 sinking of the USS Maine, which killed 260 American sailors and helped precipitate the Spanish-American War.

The annual “Remember the Maine” ceremony honored those who died aboard the battleship in Havana Harbor on Feb. 15, 1898, a moment that became a defining moment in U.S. history.

The city thanked Danbury’s veterans organizations for organizing and participating in the observance, including the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Catholic War Veterans, and Marine Corps League.

Danbury Mayor Roberto Alves expressed gratitude for the service and sacrifice of local veterans.

City officials also recognized Danny Hayes, Danbury’s director of veterans affairs, for transporting wreaths to the monument and for his work supporting veterans.

For more information on the lead-up to the Spanish-American War in 1898, click on this link.