United States naval expansion and overseas empire (1898–1945)

1. USS *Maine* explodes in Havana Harbor

   Feb 15, 1898Labels: USS Maine, Havana Harbor

   • Britannica
   • U S Capitol

2. U.S. Navy wins Battle of Manila Bay

   May 1, 1898Labels: George Dewey, Battle of

   • Manila Bay

3. U.S. captures Guam from Spain

   Jun 20, 1898Labels: Guam, U S

   • Capture Guam

4. United States annexes Hawaiʻi by joint resolution

   Jul 7, 1898Labels: Hawai i, Newlands Resolution

   • Natl Archives

5. Treaty of Paris ends Spanish–American War

   Dec 10, 1898Labels: Treaty of, Spain

   • Britannica
   • Treaty Paris

6. U.S. Senate approves Treaty of Paris

   Feb 6, 1899Labels: U S, Treaty of

   • Britannica

7. Foraker Act establishes civil government in Puerto Rico

   Apr 12, 1900Labels: Foraker Act, Puerto Rico

   • Britannica
   • Foraker Act

8. Platt Amendment becomes U.S. law

   Mar 2, 1901Labels: Platt Amendment, Cuba

   • Platt Amend

9. Philippine Organic Act creates civil government

   Jul 1, 1902Labels: Philippine Organic, Philippines

   • Phil Org Act

10. Hay–Bunau-Varilla Treaty creates Panama Canal Zone

    Nov 18, 1903Labels: Hay Bunau-Varilla, Panama Canal

    • Britannica
    • Hay Treaty

11. Panama Canal opens to global shipping

    Aug 15, 1914Labels: Panama Canal, global shipping

    • Census
    • History com

12. Philippine Autonomy Act (Jones Law) enacted

    Aug 29, 1916Labels: Jones Law, Philippine legislature

    • Britannica
    • Jones Law

13. Jones–Shafroth Act grants U.S. citizenship in Puerto Rico

    Mar 2, 1917Labels: Jones Shafroth, Puerto Ricans

    • Jones Shaf
    • Britannica

14. Washington Naval Conference opens in Washington, D.C.

    Nov 12, 1921Labels: Washington Naval, United States

    • Britannica
    • WNC

15. Washington Naval Treaty signed

    Feb 6, 1922Labels: Washington Naval, Five-Power Treaty

    • Britannica
    • WNT

16. Tydings–McDuffie Act sets Philippine independence timetable

    Mar 24, 1934Labels: Tydings McDuffie, Philippine independence

    • Britannica

17. Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor

    Dec 7, 1941Labels: Pearl Harbor, Imperial Japan

    • Britannica
    • USHMM

18. United States declares war on Japan

    Dec 8, 1941Labels: United States, Declaration of

    • TIME
    • AP News

19. Treaty of Manila recognizes Philippine independence

    Jul 4, 1946Labels: Treaty of, Republic of

    • Treaty Manila
    • Britannica