John F. Kennedy and the Cuban Missile Crisis

President Kennedy authorized Operation Mongoose, a covert programme directed against Fidel Castro's government.

Kennedy publicly warned that offensive weapons introduced into Cuba would create the gravest consequences.

Kennedy repeated that the United States would act if Cuba became a significant offensive military base.

Kennedy signed legislation authorizing measures to prevent Cuban aggression and Soviet military expansion in the hemisphere.

Kennedy convened his principal advisers at 11:45 a.m. to examine the missile evidence and possible responses.

Kennedy ordered continued secrecy while advisers studied the risks of surprise attack, quarantine, and invasion.

Kennedy ordered that the discovery of Soviet missiles remain secret while his advisers evaluated military and diplomatic options.

Kennedy continued reviewing air-strike, invasion, quarantine, and diplomatic alternatives with his advisers.

Kennedy told Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko that the United States would not tolerate offensive missiles in Cuba; Gromyko denied that offensive Soviet weapons were being deployed.

Kennedy restated his public warning to Gromyko without revealing that the missile sites had been photographed.

Kennedy met Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko while withholding knowledge of the photographed missile sites.

Kennedy maintained scheduled campaign appearances while secret crisis deliberations continued in Washington.

Kennedy left Washington for campaign appearances while advisers continued secret deliberations about Cuba.

Kennedy returned to Washington and presided over a National Security Council meeting on the response.

The White House announced that Kennedy had a cold as he cancelled remaining campaign appearances.

Kennedy selected a naval quarantine as the initial response while retaining stronger military options.

Kennedy reviewed the quarantine proclamation, military rules, and the planned address to the nation.

Kennedy informs the world that the Soviet Union was building secret missile bases in Cuba, a mere 90 miles off the shores of Florida.

Kennedy orders Khrushchev to remove all the missile bases and their deadly contents. Kennedy orders a naval quarantine of Cuba in order to prevent Russian ships from bringing additional missiles and construction materials.

Kennedy addressed the nation and revealed the Soviet offensive missile deployment in Cuba.

Kennedy announced a naval quarantine intended to prevent further deliveries of offensive military equipment.

Kennedy briefed congressional leaders before publicly announcing the crisis.

Kennedy demanded dismantlement of the missile sites and removal of the offensive weapons from Cuba.

Kennedy warned that a nuclear missile launched from Cuba would require retaliation against the Soviet Union.

Kennedy formally established the Executive Committee of the National Security Council.

The Organisation of American States unanimously supports the US decision to quarantine Cuba and , by the end of the day, all naval vessels are in place. Reconnaissance photos reveal that Soviet missiles are poised for launch.

Kennedy signed the proclamation establishing interdiction of offensive weapons shipments to Cuba.

Kennedy approved continued invasion preparations while excluding food and medicine from the initial quarantine.

Kennedy approved instructions for naval forces enforcing the quarantine while seeking to avoid an unnecessary clash with Soviet ships.

Kennedy reported that several Soviet ships had altered course as the quarantine took effect. Strategic Air Command was ordered to DEFCON 2, the highest readiness level it had yet reached.

Kennedy monitored the first day of quarantine operations as several Soviet vessels slowed, stopped, or changed course.

Kennedy replied to U Thant and affirmed his desire for a peaceful and verifiable settlement.

Kennedy wrote Khrushchev that Soviet assurances had been contradicted by clear evidence of offensive missile bases in Cuba.

Khrushchev sends a letter to Kennedy suggesting that the sites would be dismantled if the United States gave its reassurance that it would not invade Cuba.

Kennedy delayed military action to allow additional time for diplomacy after receiving Khrushchev's proposal.

Kennedy answered Khrushchev's first proposal and offered a non-invasion assurance after verified missile removal.

Kennedy postponed retaliation for the U-2 loss while advisers pursued a diplomatic solution.

Kennedy chose to answer Khrushchev's earlier, more conciliatory proposal while leaving the public demand concerning Turkey unanswered.

Kennedy authorized Robert Kennedy to tell Dobrynin privately that American Jupiter missiles in Turkey would later be removed.

Kennedy welcomed Khrushchev's decision as an important contribution to peace.

Kennedy directed officials to continue verification and quarantine measures until Soviet offensive weapons were actually removed.

Kennedy instructed his advisers to handle the settlement cautiously while reconnaissance monitored dismantling at Cuban missile sites.

Kennedy ordered the naval quarantine lifted after agreement on removal of the Soviet IL-28 bombers.