In this episode, we delve into an event that marked a profound shift in America's role on the global stage—the sinking of the USS Maine. 

Set sail with us to the late 19th century, when the United States was but a budding world power, and Cuba was ablaze with rebellion against Spanish rule. We'll drop anchor in Havana, where the USS Maine met her tragic end in an explosion that claimed the lives of 260 sailors. We will scrutinize the question that gripped a nation: was this a sinister act of sabotage, or a catastrophic accident? 

Navigate the murky waters of initial investigations and their conflicting conclusions. Then, we'll steer you through the media storm fuelled by Yellow Journalism that whipped the public sentiment into a fury, bearing the slogan 'Remember the Maine, to Hell with Spain!' 

Finally, reflect on this watershed moment that plunged America into the Spanish-American War, altering the course of the nation's history. The epochal sinking of the USS Maine, far more than a naval disaster, stands as a symbol of America's transformation into a formidable global power.