The Spanish-American War was a series of naval engagements in the Caribbean for three months in 1898. Over 400 Spanish sailors were killed during the battles of Cavite and Santiago de Cuba. This monument was erected in 1923 to honor their sacrifice. The marble obelisk is 49 feet tall. The sculptures were created by Julio González-Pola. Two of Spain’s concessions at the end of the war were Puerto Rico and Cuba.