The Cuban Missile Crisis

The Cuban Missile Crisis happened in October 1962. The United States found out the Soviet Union had put nuclear missiles in Cuba. Cuba is a country close to the American coast. The missiles were a big danger. For 13 days, people worried that a nuclear war might start.

Finding the Missiles

American spy planes took pictures over Cuba. The pictures showed Soviet missiles being set up. President John F. Kennedy was told about them right away. He had to decide what to do. The whole world was watching and worried.

A Peaceful End

President Kennedy ordered the Navy to block ships going to Cuba. This stopped more missiles from arriving. Kennedy and the Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev talked carefully for many days. They finally made a deal. The Soviets took the missiles out of Cuba, and war was avoided.

Fun Facts

• The crisis lasted only 13 days, but it felt like forever.
• People built bomb shelters in their backyards during this time.
• It is the closest the world has ever come to a nuclear war.

Did You Know?

After the crisis, a special phone line called the 'hotline' was set up between the United States and the Soviet Union so leaders could talk quickly in an emergency.