"Remember the Maine!" became the rally cry for U. S. intervention into Cuba because

The ship sank on the 15th of february of 1898 on the port of Havanna, Cuba, controled by Spain during that time. Although it is thought that the explosion that lead to the sinking of the ship was accidental, the press blamed Spain and incited the government to declare war as a response to a perceived attack on the U.S. Remember the Maine became a battle cry which in April 1898 lead President William McKinley to formally declare war on Spain

Explanation:

straight down to hell mate