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U2 sees missile in Cuba
American spy plane flys over Cuba to check the situation. Sees Soviet missiles starting the Cold War standoff. J.F.K speaks to American about the danger. -
Period: to
13 Days
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USA forces start to organize
USA troops move to southern bases in the United States. Another U2 plane flight over Cuba shows 16-30 misses. -
J.F.K sends warning to America
J.F.K is visited by soviet prime minister. Prime minister says it's only aiding Cuba in defense against attack. The president warns America about attack. -
Standoff commences
J.F.K goes on a regular campaign to Ohio and Illinois. While his defense department looks into defense measures -
J.F.K going threw plans of naval and quarantine plans
JFK returns to Washington to go over quarantine plans. Naval plans were also discussed with the defense sector. -
Discussion of Airstrike
President meets with General Walter Sweeney of the Tactical Air Command. Tells him that an air strike could not guarantee 100% destruction of the missiles. -
JFK meets with former presidents
Kennedy establishes the Executive Committee of the National Security Council and instructs it to meet daily during the crisis. Kennedy briefs the cabinet and congressional leaders on the situation. Kennedy also informs British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan of the situation by telephone. -
Tensions are rising.
The ships of the naval quarantine fleet move into place around Cuba. Soviet submarines threaten the quarantine by moving into the Caribbean area. Soviet freighters bound for Cuba with military supplies stop dead in the water, but the oil tanker Bucharest continues towards Cuba. In the evening Robert Kennedy meets with Ambassador Dobrynin at the Soviet Embassy. -
Soviets send letter of intimidation
Chairman Khrushchev replies to President Kennedy's October 23 letter :
"You, Mr. President, are not declaring a quarantine, but rather are setting forth an ultimatum and threatening that if we do not give in to your demands you will use force. Consider what you are saying! And you want to persuade me to agree to this! What would it mean to agree to these demands? It would mean guiding oneself in one's relations with other countries not by reason, but by submitting to a -
President urging Khrushchev to change course of events
Knowing that some missiles in Cuba were now operational, the president personally drafts a letter to Premier Khrushchev, again urging him to change the course of events. Meanwhile, Soviet freighters turn and head back to Europe. The Bucharest, carrying only petroleum products, is allowed through the quarantine line. U.N. Secretary General U Thant calls for a cooling off period, which is rejected by Kennedy because it would leave the missiles in place. -
Construction of missiles accelerate
A Soviet-chartered freighter is stopped at the quarantine line and searched for contraband military supplies. None are found and the ship is allowed to proceed to Cuba. Photographic evidence shows accelerated construction of the missile sites and the uncrating of Soviet IL-28 bombers at Cuban airfields. -
U 2 shot down over Cuba
A Soviet-chartered freighter is stopped at the quarantine line and searched for contraband military supplies. None are found and the ship is allowed to proceed to Cuba. Photographic evidence shows accelerated construction of the missile sites and the uncrating of Soviet IL-28 bombers at Cuban airfields. -
Cuban missile crisis over
thirteen days marking the most dangerous period of the Cuban missile crisis end. Radio Moscow announces that the Soviet Union has accepted the proposed solution and releases the text of a Khrushchev letter affirming that the missiles will be removed in exchange for a non-invasion pledge from the United States.
