oct 14, 1962 - U2 flyover of Cuba

Description:

Since the 1950s the US had nuclear missiles stationed in Eastern Europe (most notably Turkey) which were very close to the USSR and so could attack any city on a moment's notice and until Cuba there was no equivalent place for the Soviets to station their missiles. This was a major concern of the Americans that Cuba fell to communism.
In the summer of 1962, Khrushchev ordered the placement of nuclear missiles in Cuba.
The U2 flyover of Cuba revealed the Soviet missiles and Kennedy was immediately informed. Between the 16th and 20th, he discussed the issue with his advisory committee Excomm.

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