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Cuban missile crisis
The thirteen days marking the most dangerous period of the Cuban missile crisis begin. President Kennedy and principal foreign policy and national defense officials are briefed on the U-2 findings. Discussions begin on how to respond to the challenge. -
Period: to
Cuban missile crisis
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Cuban missile crisis
American military units begin moving to bases in the Southeastern U.S. as intelligence photos from another U-2 flight show additional sites; and 16 to 32 missiles. -
Cuban missile crisis
President Kennedy is visited by Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko, who asserts that Soviet aid to Cuba is purely defensive and does not represent a threat to the United States. -
Kennedy in Ohio
President Kennedy leaves for a scheduled campaign trip to Ohio and Illinois. In Washington, his advisers continue the debate over the necessary and appropriate course of action. -
Return to Washington
President Kennedy returns suddenly to Washington and after five hours of discussion with top advisers decides on the quarantine. -
Destruction of missiles
After attending Mass at St. Stephen's Church with Mrs. Kennedy, the President meets with General Walter Sweeney of the Tactical Air Command who tells him that an air strike could not guarantee 100% destruction of the missiles. -
Conversation with Hoover
President Kennedy phones former Presidents Hoover, Truman and Eisenhower to brief them on the situation. Meetings to coordinate all actions continue -
Kennedy signing document
Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs Edwin Martin seeks a resolution of support from the Organization of American States -
Krushchev replies
Chairman Khrushchev replies indignantly to President Kennedy's October 23 letter stating in part: -
Misses in Cuba
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. -
Soviet freighter
A Soviet-chartered freighter is stopped at the quarantine line and searched for contraband military supplies. -
Another letter from Russia
A second letter from Moscow demanding tougher terms, including the removal of obsolete Jupiter missiles from Turkey, is received in Washington -
End of missile crisis
The thirteen days marking the most dangerous period of the Cuban missile crisis end
