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Spanish-American War

The Spanish–American War – The Battle of San Juan Hill

The Spanish–American War – The Battle of San Juan Hill

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When we think of the Spanish-American War's Battle of San Juan Hill, most of us likely think of future president Theodore Roosevelt and his band of Rough Riders gallantly charging a well-defended Spanish fortification. While that memory of the battle is certainly true, it doesn't give Roosevelt, the Rough Riders, or the other 8,000 U.S. troops there – including Black troops – the credit they so richly deserve.  San Juan Hill: Where Courage and Unity Led to Victory The Spanish-American War was declared in April 1898, sparked by the sinking of the USS Maine in Havana harbor due to an explosion that was, at the time, believed to be caused by a Spanish mine (it was later ruled an accident). Spurred on by the sensational American press, the United States blockaded Cuba in retaliation, and Spain declared war in return. Guam had already fallen to U.S. forces, and Americans had already landed in the Philippines by the time U.S. Marines landed at Guantánamo Bay on June 10, 1898.  On...

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Did Your Cell Phone Pay for U.S. Wars?

Did Your Cell Phone Pay for U.S. Wars?

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Wars are expensive, and there was a time when the United States paid for them with money instead of going into debt. Back in those days, however, the American government collected revenue very differently. Those old-timey methods of paying the bills led to more than 100 years of telecommunications excise taxes, including cell phone taxes that some believed were still paying for America's 1898 war with Spain. Congress did originally pass an excise tax to pay for the Spanish-American War, but it was renewed time and again over decades to pay for more wars.  The Role of Excise Taxes in Funding Wars At the turn of the 20th Century, the U.S. government drew most of its money from tariffs. Excise taxes on specific goods (like tobacco and coffee) were another source of revenue. The United States imposed its first income tax during the Civil War, but it was repealed in 1872. So when it came time for war with Spain, Congress needed a way to pay for it.  The answer they came up with was an...

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