This Day in History: Cuban Missile Crisis (Sunday, October 22nd)

This Day in History: , Cuban Missile Crisis .

October 22, 1962 .

In a grave televised speech, President John F.

Kennedy announced that U.S. spy planes had discovered Soviet missile bases in Cuba.

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These missile sites housed medium-range missiles capable of striking a number of major U.S. cities, including Washington, D.C.

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Kennedy announced that he was ordering a naval “quarantine” of Cuba.

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Its purpose was to prevent Soviet ships from transporting any more offensive weapons to the island.

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Its purpose was to prevent Soviet ships from transporting any more offensive weapons to the island.

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Kennedy threatened the use of military action to end a “clandestine, reckless, and provocative threat to world peace.” .

During the next six days, the world was on the brink of nuclear war between the two superpowers