In April 1898 students supporting the cause of Cuba against Spain and the entry of the United States into the conflict carried Cuban and American flags and paraded in downtown Knoxville. Upon returning to the campus, they built a towering bonfire and tossed blank cartridges into the flames, while cadet artillerymen fired a cannon. A rally in front of Science Hall, at which students cheered for President McKinley and for their UT President (Dabney), completed the demonstration.