Chunks MicrolearningThe Cuban Missile Crisis
A gripping journey through the tense days of the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis and the brink of nuclear war.
A World on Edge
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the Cuban Missile Crisis and when did it occur?
The Cuban Missile Crisis was a 13-day confrontation in October 1962 between the United States and Soviet Union over nuclear missiles that the Soviets had secretly installed in Cuba. The crisis brought the world closer to nuclear war than ever before in history. It ended when the Soviet Union agreed to remove the missiles in exchange for the U.S. promising not to invade Cuba and secretly removing missiles from Turkey.
How did the United States discover the Soviet missiles in Cuba?
American U-2 spy planes flying reconnaissance missions over Cuba photographed Soviet medium-range ballistic missile sites under construction on October 14, 1962. The photos were analyzed by intelligence experts who confirmed the presence of nuclear-capable missiles just 90 miles from the U.S. coast. This photographic evidence was presented to President Kennedy and became the catalyst for the crisis.
Why did the Cuban Missile Crisis last exactly thirteen days?
The crisis lasted from October 14 to October 28, 1962, spanning thirteen tense days of negotiations and brinkmanship. During this period, President Kennedy and Premier Khrushchev exchanged diplomatic messages while military forces prepared for potential conflict. The crisis ended on October 28 when Khrushchev announced the Soviet decision to remove the missiles from Cuba.
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