Statue commemorating the sinking of the USS Maine in Havana and the friendship between the United States and Cuba
The Cuban-American Friendship Urn is one of the most obscure memorials in Washington, DC. The small plaque under the eagle on the urn explains the purpose of the memorial in Spanish, but it is a bit too high for most people to see. Translated into English, it reads, “The memory of the Maine will last forever through the centuries as will the bonds of friendship between the homeland of Cuba and the homeland of the United States of North America.”
In 1898, the USS Maine exploded in Havana Harbor during the Cuban War of Independence (against Spain). While the exact cause of the explosion is still up for debate, both the United States and Cuba blamed Spain for the loss of the ship and the 266 sailors and marines on board. This indirectly led to the Spanish-American War with “Remember the Maine!” as a rallying cry. It is possible, though, that the explosion was caused by an internal fire that ignited ammunition aboard the ship. The back of the urn has an engraving depicting the sinking of the USS Maine.
Cuba created a memorial to the victims of the explosion in Havana, but it was toppled by a hurricane in 1926. The urn was sculpted from a remnant of a marble column from the original memorial, which Cuba then sent as a gift to the United States. This is explained in Spanish on the large plaque at the base of the urn.
The urn sat outside the Cuban embassy until the relationship between the United States and Cuba became less friendly when Fidel Castro came to power. The friendship urn then disappeared for many years. Some reports say it spent this time abandoned in Rock Creek Park. It was “rediscovered” in 1992 in a National Park Service warehouse and moved to its current location, next to a parking lot behind the Jefferson Memorial.
The Cuban-American Friendship Urn probably isn’t worth seeking out if you aren’t already in the area, but it is an interesting testament to the United States’ ever-evolving relationship with Cuba. The First Air Mail Marker is also on this side of the Tidal Basin, so stop by to see it as well while you’re in the area.
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Address
971 Ohio Dr SW
Metro Station
- Smithsonian (OR, BL, SV)
- L’Enfant Plaza (OR, BL, SV, GR, YL)
Directions
When walking from the Jefferson Memorial, follow Ohio Drive SW to the south. You will pass the George Mason Memorial on your left. After walking under the overpass, the urn will be on your left next to NPS parking lot A.
Cost
Free
Hours
Open 24 hours but best in the daylight
Length of Adventure
10 minutes
