State of Connecticut
BY HIS EXCELLENCY
CHARLES A. TEMPLETON
GOVERNOR
A iſ rurlantatin it
Pursuant to Chapter 256 of the Public Acts of 1923, I designate Friday,
February 15th next, as
filaite ſilenturial ſlau
On this day, twenty-six years ago, 260 officers and men of the
battleship Maine gave their lives in the service of the United States.
Whether the explosion which destroyed their ship in Havana Harbor
was caused by a mine or torpedo from without, or by spontaneous
combustion from within, there can be no doubt that this calamity
crystallized public opinion in favor of the liberation of Cuba and so
precipitated the War with Spain. From this resulted our acquisition
of the Philippines and our first entry into world affairs. Thus the
destruction of the Maine, isolated as the event appeared, marks in fact
one of the great turning points in the history of the United States.
As a memorial to these men of the Navy who died aboard the Maine,
and to those men who gave or offered their lives subsequently, Maine
Memorial Day has been established. The Spanish War was not a long
war, but it was fought under exceptional hardships and its results
Were In OmentOllS.
I recommend that this day be appropriately observed, not only in
the schools as required by law but by the people of this State generally.
It is well that the nation should keep in remembrance the patriotic
sacrifice of those who served it faithfully.
Given under my hand and the seal of the State at the Capitol, in Hartford, this nineteenth
day of January, in the year of our Lord, one thousand nine hundred and twenty-four and
of the independence of the United States the one hundred and forty-eighth.
By His Excellency’s Command: assº ſ º &e=
Secretary.


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