Final answer:
The battleship USS Maine exploded in February 1898 while in Havana Harbor, Cuba, which contributed to the outbreak of the Spanish-American War.
Step-by-step explanation:
The battleship USS Maine exploded on February 15, 1898, while it was anchored in Havana Harbor, off the coast of Cuba. At the time, the explosion killed over 250 American sailors and became a major catalyst for the Spanish-American War. While initial yellow journalism claims suggested the Maine was destroyed by a Spanish mine, later investigations have indicated the cause was likely internal, involving accidental combustion of stored fuel or gunpowder near the ship's hot boilers.
The battleship Maine was located off the coast of Cuba in Havana harbor when it exploded on February 15, 1898.