Spanish American War Timeline By francesca_morales 1895 The Second Cuban War for Independence 1896 Spanish send Valeriano Weyler to Cuba 1897 The De Lome Letter is published 1898 The USS Maine Explodes Apr 20, 1898 United States declares war on Spain Apr 30, 1898 War begins in the Phillipines Jun 1, 1898 American forces land in Cuba Jul 1, 1898 Battle of San Juan Hill Jul 25, 1898 American troops invade Puerto Rico Aug 12, 1898 United States and Spain sign a cease-fire agreement Aug 12, 1898 Spain agrees to all US demands Dec 10, 1898 Treaty of Paris is ratified