The U.S.S. Maine was sent into Havana's harbor to protect American citizens and property and to intimidate the Cubans into behaving. Then it exploded on February 15. It killed more than 250 sailors.

Cuba rebelled against Spain in 1868 and fought for ten years.

On February 25, Theodore Roosevelt cabled naval commanders in the Pacific to prepare for military action against Spain. President McKinley ordered most of the cables undone, but he did leave Admiral George Dewey. Dewey was told to attack the Spanish fleet in the Philippines if the U.S. went to war with Spain.

Late in March, McKinley sent a list of demands to Spain, including; compensation for the Maine, an end to the reconcentration camps, a truce in Cuba, and Cuban independence. Spain accepted all but the last.

McKinley decided he could not stop the cries for war, even after Spain accepted all but the last of his demands. On April 11, 1898 he sent a war message to Congress. Not soon after that, Congress recognized Cuban independence and authorized force against Spain.

I just pray to God and make sure I'm good with God.

As a songwriter, pop music really is a love and a joy and a science, and I feel like a lot of people look at pop music with a very formulaic perspective in numbers and patterns, but an outsider would think that the process is very natural.

The first time I went to Helene Hanff's apartment at 305 East 72nd Street, it was 1977, and I was a 16-year-old girl who wanted to be a writer.

Cliches are cliches because they are true.

My family restores my sense of ease and keeps me balanced.

It should be only a part of my life, but it isn't. I have only one thing: my work.

The rich fire of the orange sunset gloriously announces the coming night.

I was a pretty insecure kid, didn't have a lot of friends, and was picked on a lot, and music gave me confidence.

Everything comes to him who waits

Saving people, helping people, is just something I always wanted to do.

Calm mind brings inner strength and self-confidence, so that's very important for good health.

I've never had a study in my life. I'm like Jane Austen - I work on the corner of the dining table.

Education exposes young people to a broader world, a world full of opportunity and hope.

Drawing makes you see things clearer, and clearer and clearer still, until your eyes ache.

Hearing the blues changed my life.

I'd love to do historical pictures more, but I don't know if I can.

Notwithstanding these setbacks, the dream of a beautiful American orchestra goes on, and I share Dr. King's faith that each year we move inexorably closer to a magnificent opening night.

The man for me is the cherry on the pie. But I'm the pie and my pie is good all by itself. Even if I don't have a cherry.

I want to get to the moon. I want to go to Mars.

I never learned hate at home, or shame. I had to go to school for that.

Ritual murder is referred to in court files which are located in Rome. There are pictures in it which show that in 23 cases, the Church itself has dealt with the question.

All black women aren't sassy, loud, difficult, or subservient. We are, in fact, very complex and very diverse, living very complex and diverse lives. That point cannot be made enough.

Before 'Gangnam Style' I was not a good attitude artist.

How can you have 'Scream' without Ghostface? It's like 'Friday the 13th' without Jason.