July 30, 2026 – (KEY WEST, FL). The Key West Art & Historical Society is pleased to present another installment of its popular lecture series, Happy Hour with the Historian. Historian Cori Convertito, Ph.D., will present “Remember the Maine: Explosion, Mystery, and the Road to War” on Thursday, August 13, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Comedy Key West.
The engaging presentation explores the history of the USS Maine and its significant ties to Key West during one of the most pivotal moments in American history. In 1898, the powerful U.S. battleship was a familiar presence in Key West, patrolling regional waters amid rising tensions in the Caribbean. When the Maine sailed to Havana Harbor in January as a show of American strength and protection, few could have imagined the tragedy that would soon unfold.
Just three weeks later, on the night of February 15, a catastrophic explosion ripped through the vessel, claiming the lives of more than 260 sailors and sending shockwaves across the nation. The sinking of the Maine became one of the most controversial events in U.S. history, fueling public outrage and helping propel the nation into the Spanish-American War. During the lecture, Dr. Convertito will examine the Maine’s connections to Key West, investigate the competing theories surrounding the ship’s destruction, and explore how a single mysterious event reshaped American foreign policy and marked the nation’s emergence as a global power.
“Few events have had such an immediate and lasting impact on the course of American history as the explosion of the Maine,” said Dr. Convertito, curator and historian for the Society. “Its story is one of mystery, politics, media influence, and international conflict. By examining the evidence and placing the event in its historical context, we gain a deeper understanding of how one tragedy helped change the trajectory of the United States.”
Doors open at 4:30 p.m., with the lecture beginning promptly at 5:00 p.m. Tickets are highly recommended in advance and can be purchased online at kwahs.org/whats-on. Admission is $13 for Society members and $17 for non-members, and each ticket includes a complimentary beverage. Early purchase is encouraged as seating is limited.
Your Museums. Your Community. It takes an Island.
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IMAGE 1: Historian Dr. Cori Convertito will present “Remember the Maine: Explosion, Mystery, and the Road to War,” a special Happy Hour with the Historian lecture exploring the USS Maine’s connections to Key West, the mystery surrounding its destruction, and its role in the events leading to the Spanish-American War. The lecture takes place Thursday, August 13, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Comedy Key West. (Photo Credit: Key West Art & Historical Society)
