President Grover Cleveland nixes attempt to annex Hawai'i.

Cleveland enforces Monroe Doctrine in border dispute between British Guiana and Venezuela.

USS Maine explodes in Havana harbor.

Congress declares war on Spain.

Admiral George Dewey destroys Spanish fleet in Manila Bay.

U.S. troops defeat Spanish forces in Cuba.

Treaty of Paris ends war with Spain.

United States annexes Hawai'i.

Secretary of State John Hay enunciates Open Door policy.

Boxer uprising takes place in China.

Boxer Protocol imposed on Chinese government.