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Missiles were discovered
A U-2 plane discovers missiles while flying over Cuba. -
Period: to
The 13 days
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Discovering more
Military units are moved to southeastern military bases and a second U-2 discovers more missiles in Cuba. -
Debate continues
Kennedy leaves for a scheduled campaign trip, while his advisors debate over what to do. -
Debate continues
Kennedy leaves for a scheduled campaign trip and his advisers continue to debate. -
Decision made
Kennedy decides on the quarantine of Cuba, and makes plans to deploy a navel blockade. -
Kennedy meets with officers
Kennedy meets with General Walter Sweeny and he tells Kennedy an airstrike wouldn't ensure 100% destruction of missiles. -
Kennedy establishes committee
Kennedy establishes the Executive Committee of the National Security Council and instructs it to meet daily during the crisis. Kennedy also informs British prim minister of the situation. -
Ships move into place
The ships of the naval quarantine fleet move into place around Cuba. -
Khrushchev replies
Chairman Khrushchev replies indignantly to President Kennedy's October 23 letter. -
Kennedy contacts Khrushchev again
Kennedy writes to Khrushchev, knowing that some of the missiles were active, asking him to change his course of action. -
Peace offers
In a private letter, Fidel Castro urges Nikita Khrushchev to initiate a nuclear first strike against the United States in the event of an American invasion of Cuba. Later, a long, rambling letter from Khrushchev to Kennedy makes a similar offer: removal of the missiles in exchange for lifting the quarantine and a pledge that the U.S. will not invade Cuba. -
More demands
A second letter from Moscow demanding tougher terms, including the removal of obsolete Jupiter missiles from Turkey, is received in Washington. -
Peace agreement
Russia agreed to remove missiles in Cuba, as long as the US removes missiles in Turkey and agree to not invade Cuba.
