This great new site AmericanMilitaryHistory.com gives the broad facts about the engagements of the American military as well as interesting details in a few easily summarized paragraphs.

The article I read about the Spanish-American War in 1898 filled in some colorful details about the military in post Civil War period of history that I had never considered; the disarray of our Navy, the challenges of getting enough troops when they were engaged out West in Indian wars and the use of women in the army for the first time.

Our victory over Spain in Cuba, and their colonies in Puerto Rico and the Philippines as well as the re-establishment of our maritime superiority helped cement our power for the next century.

You can go to this site any time to get an essential fact or date without sifting through pages and pages.