The Spanish-American War | History Documentary

Published on Mar 8, 2015

When Teddy Roosevelt sent the USS Maine into Havana's harbor in 1898, he hoped that the show of force would help protect the lives and property of American citizens in the restless Spanish territory. 

"Nothing will ever be the same" ~ Theodore Roosevelt

On July 1, 1998, 

U.S. forces (including Theodore Roosevelt's "Rough Riders") won the Battle of San Juan Hill in Cuba.

Rough Riders - Charge Up San Juan Hill 

Notice the scene 4 and a half minutes into the clip when Roosevelt (Tom Berenger) says "Nothing will ever be the same."

Pay attention to the symbolism of the American flag flapping over a water tower that says "Empire" on it... this was a turning point for American history and for the Unites States' stature as a world power.

Whether it was good or not, I leave to you, oh dear reader, to decide. 

~  J. Holbrook

Battle of San Juan Hill (Wikipedia)

By-the-way,, a little know fact is that Theodore Roosevelt and his son got lost in the Amazons in 1913. Roosevelt got sick and was unable to walk. He considered taking a vial of poison he had with him to commit suicide and to give the rest of the party a better chance of surviving. His son Kermit talked him out of it. Roosevelt survived but lost 50 pounds. Years later, his son Kermit would commit suicide.