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Last Updated:
2024-09-22 08:21:10

Cuban Missile Crisis

13-day confrontation between US and USSR
13-day confrontation between US and USSR

The Cuban Missile Crisis was a 13-day confrontation between the US and the Soviet Union in October 1962. It involved the placement of nuclear missiles in Cuba, leading to tense negotiations and the eventual dismantling of missiles in Cuba and Turkey.

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1959
Fidel Castro's Rise to Power in Cuba

In 1959, Fidel Castro successfully overthrew the Cuban government and established a Communist regime just 90 miles from the United States. This event marked a significant shift in the geopolitical landscape of the region.

1961-04-17
Bay of Pigs Invasion

The Bay of Pigs invasion was a failed attempt by the CIA-backed Cuban exiles to overthrow Fidel Castro's regime in Cuba. It resulted in a significant loss for the United States and strained its relations with Cuba and the Soviet Union.

1962-08-29
U-2 spy plane photos verify SAM site under construction in La Coloma, Cuba

On August 29, 1962, reconnaissance photos taken by a U-2 spy plane confirmed the construction of a surface-to-air missile (SAM) site in La Coloma, Cuba, raising concerns during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

1962-09-04
President Kennedy's Warning on Offensive Weapons in Cuba

On September 4, 1962, President Kennedy publicly warned against the introduction of offensive weapons into Cuba.

1962-10-14
Discovery of Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba

On October 14, 1962, a U-2 spy plane discovered Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba, leading to the start of the Cuban Missile Crisis.

1962-10-15
U-2 reconnaissance aircraft reveals SS-4 nuclear missiles in Cuba

On October 15, 1962, a U-2 reconnaissance aircraft discovered several SS-4 nuclear missiles in Cuba, escalating tensions during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

1962-10-16
Cuban Missile Crisis Begins

The CIA U-2 overflights of Cuba discover Soviet nuclear missiles capable of reaching the US, precipitating the Cuban Missile Crisis. This event marks the beginning of a tense confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union over the presence of nuclear missiles in Cuba.

1962-10-16
Cuban Missile Crisis

A 13-day confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union over the presence of Soviet ballistic missiles in Cuba. It was the closest the world came to nuclear war.

1962-10-17
Detection of SS-5 IRBM site in Cuba

On October 17, 1962, an SS-5 Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) site was identified in Cuba, marking the discovery of the first of three such sites during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

1962-10-18
President Kennedy meets with Soviet Foreign Minister Gromyko

President Kennedy held a meeting with Soviet Foreign Minister Andrie Gromyko on October 18, 1962, where he warned against the presence of Soviet missiles in Cuba, despite Gromyko's initial denial of such weaponry.

1962-10-19
Ex-Comm discusses Cuban quarantine

A group of American political leaders known as Ex-Comm hold discussions regarding the implementation of a quarantine on Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

1962-10-20
President Kennedy calls for a quarantine of Cuba

On October 20, 1962, President Kennedy and his advisors proposed a quarantine of Cuba to prevent new missiles from reaching the island, escalating tensions during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

1962-10-21
President Kennedy orders naval blockade of Cuba

President John F. Kennedy orders a naval blockade of Cuba as part of the response to the Cuban Missile Crisis. The operation is reviewed and approved.

1962-10-22
Kennedy's Letter to Khrushchev

On the same day, President Kennedy sent a letter to Soviet Premier Khrushchev stating that the US would not tolerate offensive weapons being sent to Cuba. Kennedy demanded the dismantling of missile bases already being constructed in Cuba.

1962-10-23
Reconnaissance photos reveal Soviet missiles in Cuba

Reconnaissance images show that Soviet missiles in Cuba are ready for launch, heightening the tensions of the Cuban Missile Crisis.

1962-10-24
Khrushchev responds to Kennedy's message

On October 24, 1962, Khrushchev responded to Kennedy's message regarding the U.S. blockade of Cuba, stating that it was an act of aggression. He also mentioned that Soviet ships bound for Cuba would be ordered to proceed despite the blockade.

1962-10-25
U.S. Sets DEFCON 2 during Cuban Missile Crisis

On October 25, 1962, U.S. Ambassador Adlai Stevenson confronts the Soviets at the U.N. over the Cuban Missile Crisis. The Soviets refuse to answer, leading American military forces to be instructed to set DEFCON 2 - the highest ever in U.S. history.

1962-10-26
Kennedy-Khrushchev Agreement

Khrushchev agreed to remove the last few missiles from Cuba in exchange for the assurance that missiles in Turkey would be removed in the following months, under the condition of secrecy.

1962-10-27
Second Letter from Khrushchev and U-2 Incident

Khrushchev sends a second letter demanding a trade of missiles between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. On the same day, a U-2 plane piloted by Major Rudolf Anderson is shot down over Cuban airspace by a Soviet missile, while another U-2 accidentally violates Soviet airspace near Alaska.

1962-10-28
Khrushchev Announces Missile Removal

Khrushchev announces the agreement to remove missiles from Cuba, marking the end of the Cuban Missile Crisis.

1962-10-29
President Kennedy orders US ships to remain on the quarantine line

On October 29, 1962, President Kennedy orders US ships to stay on the quarantine line during the Cuban Missile Crisis, as tensions remain high.

1962-11-02
Preparation of Missile Support Equipment at Mariel Naval Port

In November 1962, low-level aerial photographs captured the preparation of missile support equipment at Mariel Naval Port in Cuba. The equipment was being readied for loading onto Soviet ships for removal from the country.

1962-11-04
Removal of Missiles from Mariel Naval Port, Cuba

Aerial reconnaissance photos taken on November 4, 1962, show missiles and support equipment being prepared for removal from Cuba at Mariel Naval Port. The images captured Soviet freighters Divnogorsk, Metallurg Anosov, and Bratsk at the pier.

1962-11-07
Soviet Freighter Fizik Kurchatov Returning Missiles to USSR

On November 7, 1962, the Soviet freighter Fizik Kurchatov was photographed at sea just after leaving Cuba. The ship was returning six missiles to the USSR as part of the resolution of the Cuban Missile Crisis.

1962-11-09
Soviet Freighter Volgoles Carrying Missiles Away from Cuba

The Soviet freighter Volgoles was captured carrying missiles away from Cuba on November 9, 1962. The USS Vesole (DDR-878) was seen alongside the freighter during this operation.

1962-11-20
US announces removal of the last Soviet missiles from Cuba

The United States declares the successful removal of the final Soviet missiles from Cuba, marking the end of the Cuban Missile Crisis.

1962-11-21
Soviet military forces leave Cuba

All Soviet military forces depart from Cuba, marking the official end of the Cuban Missile Crisis.

1962-12-02
Soviet Freighter Kasimov with IL-28 Beagle Bombers

On December 2, 1962, the Soviet freighter Kasimov was at sea with 15 IL-28 Beagle bombers on deck, 11 of which were in crates opened by the Soviet crew for U.S. air inspection. This occurred during the withdrawal of planes from Cuba.

1964-10
Khrushchev's Fall from Power

The humiliation faced by the Soviets during the Cuban Missile Crisis is believed to have played a significant role in Khrushchev's fall from power in October 1964, impacting Soviet Union's nuclear strategy.

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Cuban Missile Crisis
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