Marathon Pundit: On this day in 1898: Spanish-American War begins

It was on April 25, 1898 when Congress declared war on Spain. Ten weeks later the Spanish American War ended and the United States was clearly a world power, making the planet a much better place.

Pictured below is a piece of war booty captured at Manila Bay which is now on display at Winnetka, Illinois' Village Green. The inscription reads, "This gun was mounted on the defences of Cavite Arsenal which surrendered to Commodore George Dewey, May 1, 1898."