The Cuban Missile Crisis: A 13-Day Standoff That Almost Led to Nuclear War

The Cuban Missile Crisis of October 1962 was a pivotal moment in the Cold War, marked by the discovery of Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba, just 90 miles from the US coast. President Kennedy faced a critical decision, ultimately opting for a naval blockade to prevent further Soviet shipments. Intense negotiations between Kennedy and Soviet Premier Khrushchev ensued, leading to an agreement: the USSR would remove its missiles from Cuba in exchange for the US withdrawing its missiles from Turkey and pledging not to invade Cuba. This 13-day standoff brought the world to the brink of nuclear war but ended peacefully, highlighting the importance of diplomacy and communication in international relations.

What new insight or understanding did you gain from this video?