USS Maine Sinks

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

FEBRUARY 15, 1898

The American battleship USS Maine sank in Havana Harbor, Cuba after it was mysteriously blown up, killing 266 crew members out of 354. 

The Americans blamed Spain for the explosion. The Spanish government denied the accusation and tried to mend the rift with the United States. 

She wanted to avoid a war with a nation having the most modern technology and weaponry, even if the U.S. was meddling in the Cuban war of independence. 

The Americans considered it an act of treason and a good reason to declare war even without proof of Spain’s involvement. 

US President William McKinley declared war on Spain. Secretary of the Navy Theodore Roosevelt (who would later become president) ordered Commodore George Dewey, the commander of the American Asiatic Squadron to attack Spanish forces in the Philippines. 

On April 23, 1898, Spain declared war on the United States. 

The American navy destroyed the Spanish naval fleet in the Philippines. Spain’s forces were no match to the superior and modern firepower of the US Navy which culminated in their defeat in the Battle of Manila Bay. 

The Spanish-American War lasted 13 weeks.

(Design, concept, stamps and research: Richard Allan B. Uy) All rights reserved

Photo credit: wikipedia.org

U.S. Troops Invade Iloilo City

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

FEBRUARY 11, 1899

A week after the Philippine-American War (Filipino-American War) began, American troops numbering 3,322, came to invade Iloilo City in the island of Panay. 

The US First Separate Brigade, composed of elements of the 1st Tennessee Volunteer Infantry, the 18th US Regular Infantry and the 6th US Artillery under the command of Brigadier General Marcus P. Miller, were assisted by the war vessels Baltimore, Petrel and Boston; troop transports Arizona, St, Paul and Newport; and the launches Iloilo and Vicenti, all from Admiral George Dewey’s squadron. 

The shore trenches were heavily bombarded by the gunboat USS Petrel and the cruiser USS Baltimore. 

The Filipino troops under General Martin Delgado retreated. 

Iloilo City was destroyed after the bombardment and Gen. Miller’s forces captured the city with no loss of American lives. 

The United States flag called the Stars and Strips, was hoisted signifying American control over the city. 

General Martin Delgado, the acknowledged leader of the Filipino forces in Panay waged guerrilla offensives against U.S. troops from 1899 to 1901. 

He finally surrendered on February 2, 1901 to American military governor Edmund Rice. 

He was appointed as the first governor of Iloilo province when the civil government was established by the Americans on April 11, 1901. 

When the first local election was held on March 3, 1902, he was elected as governor of the province of Panay.

(Design, concept, stamps and research: Richard Allan B. Uy) All rights reserved

Photo credit: National Historical Commission of the Philippines and filipinoamericanwar.com