News
Pre Conditions/Intro
01/16/2011 19:32
The Cuban Missile Crisis was the closest the world ever came to nuclear war. In 1962, the Soviet Union was desperatly behind the United States in the arms race since the Soviet Union could only strike Euorope, but the U.S.A could strike all of the Soviet Union. In May, 1962...
Day 1: October 15, 1962
01/16/2011 19:48
On October 15, the CIA's chief photo interpreter, Aurthor Lundahl, analyzes photos from a U-2 flight over Cuba earlier that day and finds that there are nuclear missiles in Cuba.
Day 2: October 16, 1962
01/16/2011 19:52
Still in his pajamas, John Fitzergald Kennedy is informed of missiles in Cuba. It becomes obvious that the Soviets were lying about the fact that they weren't putting missiles into Cuba. He is also informed that the missiles have a range of 1100 miles, but they...
Day 3: October 17, 1962
01/16/2011 20:04
Kennedy decides to follow his schedule to maintain the secrecy of the fact that he knew about the missiles in Cuba and flies to Conneticut for a campaign appearence. The joint chiefs continue to argue for an airstrike and another U-2 flight discover IRBMs ( Intermediate...
Day 4: October 18, 1962
01/16/2011 20:10
Kennedy meets with Gromyko, a Soviet diplomat. EX-COMM is not sure if Gromyko knows of missiles or if he knew the Americans knew. Gromyko reads a statement that Soviet aid is soley for defense. Kennedy then re-reads a statement of September 4 that americans will not tolerate...
Day 5: October 19, 1962
01/16/2011 20:26
On day five of the crisis, Kennedy meets with joint cheifs who still want an airstrike on Cuba, and EX-COMM still can't reach a consensus. Kennedy asks EX-COMM to draw up plans for both a quarantine and an airstrike.
Day 6: October 20, 1962
01/16/2011 20:28
While Kennedy is still on his campaign trip, EX-COMM decides to discuss the two speeches. Roswell Gilpatrick then sums up the choices: limeted action vs. unlimeted action and feels it is better to start with limeted action a.k.a. the quarantine. EX-COMM calls Kennedy,...
Day 7: October 21, 1962
01/16/2011 20:32
After lots of thought, Kennedy decides a blockade ( quarantine ) should be thier first move. He calls it a quarantine because a blockade is an act of war and a quarantine is simply the actions used to keep something unwanted out of a certain area. the press eager...
Day 8: October 22, 1962
01/16/2011 20:37
Night had already fallen in Moscow when Khrushchev learned the Americans had probably already discovered thier missiles in Cuba.
Kennedy goes public. Kennedy wants a quarantine and informs allies and Senate leaders of his decision. 300 Navy...
Day 9: October 23,1962
01/17/2011 08:56
Kennedy orders another low level recon flight over Cuba. this brings back stunning evidence, close up pictures of missile sites. OAS unanimously approves quarantine. Kennedy then signs proclomation of interdiction to take effect at 10:00 a.m. (EST) on October 24. Robert...
Day 10: OCtober 24, 1962
01/17/2011 09:02
EX-COMM meets at 10:00 a.m. (EST) U.S. is concerned about the Soviet submarines trailing some of the Soviet ships. Kennedy wonders if Khrushchev had enough time to contact the Soviet ships. at 10:25 (EST) EX-COMM receives a message that the Soviet ships are turning back....
Day 11: October 25, 1962
01/17/2011 09:09
( Kennedy quote ) "the americans have chickened out, it seems that Kennedy went to sleep with a wooden knife," stated Khrushchev that morning. Adlai Stevenson confronts the Soviet Union at U.N. Zorin refuses to comment on the missiles. Then Adlai says, "I am prepared to wait...
Day 12: October 26, 1962
01/17/2011 09:15
The U.S. forces boarded the Labanese feighter Marcula, but they only found paper products and cleared the ship to Cuba. At 10:00 a.m., EX-COMM meets and Kennedy says a quarantine alone won't work. The CIA reports there is no halt in progress to develop missile...
Day 13: October 27, 1962 ( biggest doy of the crisis )
01/17/2011 10:16
This was the worst day of the crisis. ( McNamara quote ) a U-2 is shot down by a SAM ( Surface to Air Missile ) site, and another flew of course over Russia. Low-level recon mission was shot at over Cuba. Then a demanding letter arrives from Khrushchev stating that they will...
Day 14: October 28, 1962
01/17/2011 10:30
Khrushchev meets with circle of advisors outside of Moscow. A general enters and reads that Kennedy was going to adress the nation at 5:00 p.m. (EST) Krushchev feared the worst and drafts a letter to Kennedy saying they will cease work and dismantle the weapons he...
Aftermath
01/17/2011 10:37
Superpowers still had to hammer out terms of agreement. Castro tried to halt removal and inspection but backs down with the help of the U.N. Bombers are removed begining on November 20th. on November 21st Kennedy ends the quarantine and decreases military alert to DEFCON 4....
Conclusions, Results, and Subsequent Events
01/17/2011 10:44
A direct line was established between Washington D.C. and Moscow. Three months later, the U.S. removed their missiles from Turkey. Augest 1973, an atmosphere nuclear testing ban treaty is signed. 1,113 prisoners from Bay of Pigs invasion were exchanged by Castro for...
