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Day 1: U2 Planes Spotted Missiles in Cuba
Kennedy and his the defense team are informed that American spy planes caught sight of missiles in Cuba. Florida's close proximity to Cuba especially sparked fear in America. -
Period: to
The 13 Days
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Day 2: Discussion Begins
JFK begins to look att the choices he has to make. Meanwhile, spy planes see an additional 16-32 missiles. -
Day 3: Gromyko Visits JFK
Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko from the Soviet Union tells JFK that the missiles in Cuba are merely defensive and denies any weaponry there. JFK warns Gromyko that America wants them gone either way. (Or else!!!) -
Day 4: Weighing the Options
JFK meets with the Secretary of Defense. His advisors are still dicussing a plan of action. -
Day 5: Plan of Action
JFK and his team considered invading and attacking Cuba with an airstrike, but to prevent a nuclear war they agreed to organize a naval blockade. This way, no missiles could go to or leave from Cuba. -
Day 6: Airstrike is a No Go
JFK meets with General Walter Sweeny from the Tactical Air Command. Sweeny asseses that an airstrike would not gurantee total destruction of the missiles. A naval blockade is ordered. -
Day 7: Word Spreads
JFK tells former Presidents Hoover, Truman and Eisenhower of the crisis, informs the British Prime MInister, and creates the Executive Committee of the National Security Council. The situation is also revealed to all Americans -
Day 8: Cuba is Qurantined
The Organization of American States agrees with JFK and the defense team. The US Navy surrounds Cuba. -
Day 9: Stand-Off
Soviet ships encounter the naval blockade. America, poised and ready, discussed a plan of action if the Soviets should attack. Tensions are high. -
Day 10: JFK Gives Another Warning
JFK tells Premier Khrushchev to do something about the situation. Soviet ships head back to Europe. -
Day 11: Compromise is Made
Khrushchev offers removal of the missiles in exchange for America not invading Cuba. -
Day 12: Additions to the Compromise
A U2 spy plane flying over Cuba is shot down and the pilot is killed. JFK receives a letter from Khrushchev demanding that American missiles be taken out of Turkey. -
Day 13: Conflict Resolved
Both JFK and Khrushchev agree to the compromise. The Soviet missiles are taken out Cuba, and the US missiles are taken out of Turkey. America agrees to keep out of Cuba., and the notoious 13 Days are over.
