Election
Elected Member of Congress
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
William McKinley Biography and Timeline
Follow William McKinley through 33 dated historical records for United States of America.
William McKinley, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
33Distinct records
1 of 1Page
1876–1901Years on this page
1876
1892
Governor
Appointed Governor of Ohio
1896
Election
Wins the presidential election for the 1st time
Role range: 1897-1901 – 1897-1901
Gold Standard Campaign
McKinley campaigns for sound money and continued maintenance of the gold standard.
1897
President of USA
Appointed President of the USA, 25th President
Role range: 1897-1901 – 1897-1901
1898
Siege of Havana
The Spanish sink the US battleship Maine which triggers off the Spanish-American War
Independence of Cuba
The battleship USS Maine is sent to menace Imperial Spain and its sinking helps to precipitate the Spanish-American War over the issue of Cuban independence
Role range: 1897-1901 – 1897-1901
Independence of United States of America
The battleship USS Maine is sent to menace Imperial Spain and its sinking helps to precipitate the Spanish-American War over the issue of Cuban independence
Role range: 1897-1901 – 1897-1901
Sinking of USS Maine - Explosion Casualties
USS Maine exploded in Havana harbour on 15 February 1898, killing 266 men and becoming a major catalyst in the crisis with Spain.
Role range: 1897-1901 – 1897-1901
Sinking of USS Maine
The battleship USS Maine is sent to menace Imperial Spain and its sinking helps to precipitate the Spanish-American War over the issue of Cuban independence. The battleship USS Maine explodes and sinks in Havana harbor, the explosion kills 266 of her crew
Role range: 1897-1901 – 1897-1901
Declaration of War
McKinley asks Congress for a declaration of war against Spain
Role range: 1897-1901 – 1897-1901
Declaration of War
Congress passes a resolution recognizing Cuban independence and demanding that Spain relinquish authority over Cuba, McKinley was also authorizes to use military force to put the resolution into effect
Role range: 1897-1901 – 1897-1901
Independence of Cuba
Congress passes a resolution recognizing Cuban independence and demanding that Spain relinquish authority over Cuba
Role range: 1897-1901 – 1897-1901
Independence of United States of America
Congress passes a resolution recognizing Cuban independence and demanding that Spain relinquish authority over Cuba
Role range: 1897-1901 – 1897-1901
Declaration of War
McKinley signs a congressional resolution recognizing Cuban independence from Spain & signs the Joint Resolution for War with Spain that authorizes US military intervention to Cuban independence
Role range: 1897-1901 – 1897-1901
Independence of Cuba
McKinley signs a congressional resolution recognizing Cuban independence from Spain & signs the Joint Resolution for War with Spain that authorizes US military intervention to Cuban independence
Role range: 1897-1901 – 1897-1901
Independence of United States of America
McKinley signs a congressional resolution recognizing Cuban independence from Spain & signs the Joint Resolution for War with Spain that authorizes US military intervention to Cuban independence
Role range: 1897-1901 – 1897-1901
Joint Resolution for War
McKinley signs a congressional resolution recognizing Cuban independence from Spain & signs the Joint Resolution for War with Spain that authorizes US military intervention to Cuban independence
Role range: 1897-1901 – 1897-1901
Blockade of Havana
The USA begins to blockade Havana
Role range: 1897-1901 – 1897-1901
Declaration of War
Congress declares war against Spain
Role range: 1897-1901 – 1897-1901
Havana Maritime Access Restricted
United States naval forces begin restricting shipping into Havana as hostilities intensify around Cuba.
Role range: 1897-1901 – 1897-1901
Peace
Spain accepts McKinleys peace terms
Role range: 1897-1901 – 1897-1901
Capture of Manila
Manila surrenders to the US
Role range: 1897-1901 – 1897-1901
Chinese Exclusion Act
The Supreme Court rules that a child born in the United States to Chinese immigrants is a US citizen, and therefore could not be deported under the Chinese Exclusion Act
Role range: 1897-1901
Legislation
The Supreme Court rules that a child born in the United States to Chinese immigrants is a US citizen, and therefore could not be deported under the Chinese Exclusion Act
Role range: 1897-1901
Rule of Guam
Guam is ceded by Spain to the US
Role range: 1897-1901 – 1897-1901
1900
Gold Standard Act
The Gold Standard Act defines the dollar by gold and protects currency redemption.
Role range: 1897-1901
Gold Standard Act
The Gold Standard Act legally defines the dollar by gold and protects currency redemption.
Role range: 1897-1901
Election
Nominated for the Presidency
Role range: 1897-1901 – 1897-1901
China Relief Expedition
Sends American forces to join the relief expedition.
Role range: 1900-1901 – 1897-1901
Election
Wins the presidential election for the 2nd time
Role range: 1897-1901 – 1897-1901
1901
Assassination of William McKinley
Assassinated in Buffalo, New York
Role range: 1897-1901 – 1897-1901
Death of William McKinley
Death of William McKinley, of gangrene after assassination attempt
Role range: 1897-1901 – 1897-1901
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.