1898 — President McKinley signs a Congressional resolution in 1898 declaring Cuba independent and authorizing the use of army and navy resources to force Spain to leave Cuba. The United States blockades Cuban ports and the United States and Spain declare war on each other.

This marks the beginning of the Spanish-American War. The war ends later that year with the Treaty of Paris, in which Spain gives up all rights to Cuba and cedes Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippines to the United States.

Elsewhere that year:

• Marie Curie discovers the elements polonium and radium and coins the phrase radioactivity.
• The first Food and Drug Act is passed because of a public outcry against the meat supplied for U.S. troops fighting the Spanish-American War.