October

October 1962 marked a critical moment during the Cold War known as the Cuban Missile Crisis. It began when the United States discovered that the Soviet Union was secretly installing nuclear missiles in Cuba, just 90 miles from U.S. shores. President John F. Kennedy responded by imposing a naval blockade to prevent further shipments. For 13 tense days, the world watched as U.S. and Soviet leaders negotiated, fearing a nuclear war. Ultimately, an agreement was reached: the Soviets would remove the missiles in exchange for a U.S. promise not to invade Cuba, illustrating the dangers of nuclear brinkmanship.