Major Events of the Cuban Missile Crisis
October 16, 1962- At the EXCOMM meeting, a CIA photo interpreter shows evidence of missiles sites on Cuba taken by a U-2 spy plane.
October 17- Discussions continue about how to handle the possible threat in Cuba.
October 18- Robert Kennedy opposes responding by attacking missile sites, comparing it to Pearl Harbor. Develops option of a naval blockade around Cuba.
October 19- American spy planes find more missile sites on Cuba, with missiles capable of hitting targets up to 2,800 miles away.
October 20- EXCOMM has narrowed the appropriate course of action down to two options-an air strike or naval blockade, with John F. Kennedy and Robert Kennedy supporting the naval blockade option.
October 22-The President decides to use a naval blockade to prevent the Soviets from delivering any more missiles. Meanwhile, an ultimatum is delivered to Khrushchev. That night, John F. Kennedy delivers a speech to the American people regarding the ongoing situation in Cuba.
October 23- John F. Kennedy signs a law into effect stating that the military is authorized to board any Soviet ships en route to Cuba. In Cuba, Castro appears on television to inspire the Cuban people to fight for their country.
October 24- The hunt continues for the Soviet submarines in the Atlantic Ocean. In the meantime, the United States prepares for a possible nuclear war.
October 25- The USSR proposes to the United States that they will remove weapons from Cuba if the Americans sign a guarantee to not invade Cuba in the future.
October 26- The United States plans an ultimatum involving direct military attack on Cuba should Khrushchev not respond or negotiate with the United States. The Soviets prepare nuclear missiles should such a conflict occur.
October 27- The climax of the crisis known as "Black Saturday". An American U-2 spy plane is shot down when over Cuba. Shortly after, another American U-2 plane strays over the Soviet Union, before nearly being intercepted by the Soviets. Later that day, negotiations between the two superpowers begin.
October 28- Kennedy proposes an offer to Khrushchev to end the crisis. The United States guarantees not invade Cuba, as well as secretly remove the American missiles in Turkey aimed at the Soviet Union. In return, the Soviets must completely remove their missiles from Cuba. Khrushchev accepts this offer. Nuclear war has been avoided, and Cuban Missile Crisis comes to an end.
October 17- Discussions continue about how to handle the possible threat in Cuba.
October 18- Robert Kennedy opposes responding by attacking missile sites, comparing it to Pearl Harbor. Develops option of a naval blockade around Cuba.
October 19- American spy planes find more missile sites on Cuba, with missiles capable of hitting targets up to 2,800 miles away.
October 20- EXCOMM has narrowed the appropriate course of action down to two options-an air strike or naval blockade, with John F. Kennedy and Robert Kennedy supporting the naval blockade option.
October 22-The President decides to use a naval blockade to prevent the Soviets from delivering any more missiles. Meanwhile, an ultimatum is delivered to Khrushchev. That night, John F. Kennedy delivers a speech to the American people regarding the ongoing situation in Cuba.
October 23- John F. Kennedy signs a law into effect stating that the military is authorized to board any Soviet ships en route to Cuba. In Cuba, Castro appears on television to inspire the Cuban people to fight for their country.
October 24- The hunt continues for the Soviet submarines in the Atlantic Ocean. In the meantime, the United States prepares for a possible nuclear war.
October 25- The USSR proposes to the United States that they will remove weapons from Cuba if the Americans sign a guarantee to not invade Cuba in the future.
October 26- The United States plans an ultimatum involving direct military attack on Cuba should Khrushchev not respond or negotiate with the United States. The Soviets prepare nuclear missiles should such a conflict occur.
October 27- The climax of the crisis known as "Black Saturday". An American U-2 spy plane is shot down when over Cuba. Shortly after, another American U-2 plane strays over the Soviet Union, before nearly being intercepted by the Soviets. Later that day, negotiations between the two superpowers begin.
October 28- Kennedy proposes an offer to Khrushchev to end the crisis. The United States guarantees not invade Cuba, as well as secretly remove the American missiles in Turkey aimed at the Soviet Union. In return, the Soviets must completely remove their missiles from Cuba. Khrushchev accepts this offer. Nuclear war has been avoided, and Cuban Missile Crisis comes to an end.