EPISODE · May 25, 2026 · 17 MIN
The Love Letter That Launched a Thousand Ships
from The Rest of History · host Podcaster
In 1898, a Spanish diplomat's intercepted correspondence about Cuban rebels contained one fateful line that wasn't about Cuba at all—it was about President McKinley's character. That single insult, buried in diplomatic small talk, gave American newspapers exactly what they needed to push a reluctant nation into the Spanish-American War. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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In 1898, a Spanish diplomat's intercepted correspondence about Cuban rebels contained one fateful line that wasn't about Cuba at all—it was about President McKinley's character. That single insult, buried in diplomatic small talk, gave American newspapers exactly what they needed to push a reluctant nation into the Spanish-American War.
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The Love Letter That Launched a Thousand Ships
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