U-2 Plane Takes Some Important Photos

Historical Date: October 15, 1962
Despite others being shot down over China and the Soviet Union, a U-2 plane was sent to fly over Cuba and take photographs. The plane would cross Cuba at 7:00 a.m. This was the perfect time for to cross because the sun was high enough to create shadows that would define the objects on the Cuban land. I no less than 15 minutes, the photos were taking and the U-2 returned to the U.S., landing at the CIA headquarters, located in Landley Virginia (thinkquest.org)

Crisis Begins

Historical Date: October 16, 1962



Bundy breaks the new to Kennedy who calls for a meeting of a group later to become known as EX-COMM. It was confirmed that the Soviet Union had a nuclear missile outpost Cuban coast, just 90 miles from Florida (thinkquest.org).

President J.F.K. convenes his Executive Committee to consider America's options.(atomicarchive.com)

Kennedy to Connecticut, Air Force Impatient

Historical date: October 17, 1962


Kennedy travels to Connecticut to campaign for the Democratic Party. While he is gone, the air force, as well as the Joint Chiefs of Staff, began to strongly suggest that the United States commence an airstrike on Cuba. Kennedy, recalling what had happened at the "Bay of Pigs" incident, did not let the military's suggestion become the course or action, and kept his options over.

Later that night, another U-2 flight over Cuba confirmed the existence of SS-5 nuclear missiles. These missiles, also known as IRBMs, are missiles meant for firing at intermediate range. (Note: the US is 90 miles from Cuba) (thinkquest.org)

Meeting With Gromyko

Historical Date: October 18, 1962

President Kennedy meets with the Andrei Gromyko, the Minister of Foreign affairs for the Soviet Union. Gromyko claims that the Soviet Union's aid to Cuba was only to benefit their "defensive capabilities. (thinkquest.org)

JFK Discusses Various Military Options

Historical Date: October 19, 1962
JFK discusses military options with his joint chiefs of staff. Chairman General Maxwell Taylor expressed his concern with the joint chief of staff’s decisions to do an airstrike along with the blockade. JFK references to the 1956 USSR takeover of Hungry during the Suez invasion leading him to conclude that an airstrike would give the USSR a clear shot at taking Berlin. Several members of the JCS argued for military action and expressed fears that the blockade alone was a weak response which could have lead to nuclear blackmail. (hpol.org)

Operation In Progress

Historical Date: October 20, 1962
JFK’s Press Secretary proclaims that the President is canceling the remainder of his campaign trip because of an "upper respiratory infection."JFK meets with his advisors and orders a defensive quarantine instituted as soon as possible. The full operation is reviewed and approved, and the President's television conference is scheduled for the next evening (hpol.org)

The Decision
Historical Date: October 21, 1962
JFK is informed that an airstrike would not guarantee the destruction of all the Soviet missiles in Cuba. Kennedy decides on a quarantine of Cuba. Kennedy does not want press to publicize about his decision. He wants it kept private. Another U-2 flight that day reveals bombers and fighter jets being rapidly assembled and cruise missile sites being built on Cuba's northern shore (hpol.org)