This is the chronological order of the events of the spanish-american war:
1890 - public opinion was exposed by anti-Spanish propaganda, using yellow press to call for war ( yellow press reports heightened public dislike for spain)
February 9, 1898: spain's ambassador calls mckinley "weak and stupid"
February 15, 1898: Sinking Of The USS Maine, due to explosion
Abril 11, 1898: mckinley seeks authority to use force against spain
1899 - mckinley warns spain to quickly establish peace