1890-1900 1892 First bridge to span the lower Mississippi River is at Memphis. 1892 Rudolf Diesel invents diesel engine. 1892 Pledge of Allegiance published. Changes made in 1954. 1893 Grover Cleveland takes oath on March 4 as 24th President. 1893 America the Beautiful written by Katherine Lee Bates. 1896 Utah admitted as 45th state on Feb 4. 1896 Plessy v. Ferguson establishes "separate but equal" provision in U.S. law. 1897 William McKinley takes oath on March 4 as 25th President. 1898 Spanish-American War. Teddy Roosevelt and his rough-riders fight in Cuba. 1898 USS Maine blown up in harbor at Havana, Cuba, February 15. 1898 Independent republic of Hawaii annexed. 1900 Boxer Rebellion against foreigners in China begins.