Archive for February 14th, 2012

When Teddy Roosevelt was asked to give a speech to the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, on June 2, 1897, readiness was his theme.  He insisted the only way to keep peace was to be ready for war, and the only way to be ready for war was to enlarge the Navy.  It was a rousing, patriotic speech.  The following February, the Maine was blown up, killing 264 sailors and Americans across the land cried, ‘Remember the Maine!’  In April, President McKinley asked Congress to declare war on Spain. Not surprised that he backed the war effort, most Americans (read more…)