This virtual cemetery has been created to honor the veterans of the Spanish-American War that are buried in the Florida Heartland.This would include Highlands, Desoto, Hardee, Okeechobee, Polk counties.The Spanish-American War Ends: August 12, 1898On August 12, 1898, representatives for the United States and Spain signed a peace protocol in Washington DC, ending the three-month-long Spanish-American War in Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. The American victory against the Spanish would result in the collapse of what remained of Spain's colonial empire and would herald America's entrance as a major player on the world stage.The war had formally begun on April 25, 1898, when the United States declared war against Spain. Though the catalyst for America's declaration of war was the sinking of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor (which at the time was blamed on Spain), American public opinion had been turning against Spain for some time, due to atrocities committed against Cubans in their fight for independence. After the sinking of the Maine, the U.S. joined...Continue Reading Story from the www.Fold 3 site