Cuban Missile Crisis Timeline

Oct. 28th, 1958

The U.S. seeks a way to stabilize the region and keep the Soviet Union in check to avoid another European war. The U.S. enters into an agreement with Turkey to bring 15 missiles into Eastern Europe beginning on June 1st, 1961. By 1962, more than 100 missiles are ready to strike the capital of Russia and Soviet Union at any time.

Oct. 28th, 1958

Feb. 4-13th, 1960

Cuban Prime Minister Fidel Castro was rejected a meeting with the U.S. President due to his radical policies. On February 4, 1960, Russian Premier Nikita sends his first deputy to Cuba in order to discuss a potential economic and trade agreement. No discussion of military involvement is discussed between Mikoyan and Castro. They hope is to make Cuba rely lesson the United States for economic aid.

May 7th, 1960

The Soviet Union and Cuba officially

establish diplomatic relations on May 7, 1960. Seeking aid, the Cubans ask for oil

imports from the Soviets to propel their

economy. Wanting to establish a friend in the region, the Soviets accept immediately.

May 7th, 1960

July 4th, 1960

Fidel Castro orders the seizure of all U.S. companies and properties. United States businesses that operate plants call on the government. Over $1.7 billion in assets are seized by Castro’s communist regime. The next day, on July 6, President Eisenhower cancels 700,000 tons of sugar that were set to be imported from Cuba; on July 8, the Soviet Union quickly agrees to purchase the sugar excess.

Sept. 1960

The first weapons shipment and Soviet weapon experts arrived in Cuba to help determine military sites and assemble equipment without U.S. knowledge. Construction on several anti-aircraft batteries begins to target U.S. planes from possible aerial attacks. Soviet advisers begin delivering progress reports to Castro as updates are made to military equipment.

Sept. 1960

Oct. 19th, 1960

Oct. 19th, 1960

The first embargo is placed on U.S. - Cuban trade. All United States citizens and companies are banned from exporting any

goods to Cuba, except for food and medicine. The embargo would be expanded on February 7, 1962 to include virtually all goods.

April 16th, 1961

A CIA-backed plan to overthrow the Castro regime is launched. Known as the “Bay of Pigs” invasion, the CIA planned to train and provide firearms to Cuban exiles, who would enter Cuba through the Bay of Pigs and eventually make their way to Havana to assassinate Castro. Originally approved by President Eisenhower in early 1960, Kennedy’s victory in the fall’s election meant that the Castro overthrow now fell squarely in his lap. The plan ultimately fails as airstrikes miss their targets and Castro is alerted about the invasion from Soviet intelligence. Connections between the arrested Cuban exiles

and the CIA are quickly discovered and U.S. - Cuba tension is now at an all-time high.

April 16th, 1961

Nov. 30th, 1961

The Kennedy administration is humiliated by the failure of the Bay of Pigs invasion and, on November 31, launches Operation Mongoose to do what the prior invasion failed to do: assassinate Fidel Castro.

The CIA explores a variety of methods to achieve the mission’s goal. Like the Bay of Pigs, Operation Mongoose fails as Castro is never assassinated.

Nov. 30th,1961

Sept. 8-15th, 1962

First on September 8, and then again on

September 15, Soviet cargo ships arrive in

Cuba carrying nuclear missiles and mid-range

ballistic missiles. Construction of anti-air

craft batteries continues quickly. The State Department confirms there are Soviet surface-to-air missiles in Cuba, but these missiles do not pose a threat to the United States. More monitoring of Cuba is ordered, United States aircraft increase surveillance of the SAM and alternate sites, and Operation Mongoose is intensified.

Oct 15th, 1962

The day before, on October 14, a U.S. aircraft

was deployed to take several photographs of

Cuba; evidence shows the construction of

twenty-four surface-to-air missiles, twenty-

eight bombers to carry out air attacks, and

several sites to be used for mid-range ballistic

missiles. These missiles are determined to be

of Soviet origin and have the capability of

reaching the United States.

Oct. 15th, 1962

Oct. 22nd, 1962

At 7 pm EST, Kennedy addresses the United

States public through a nationwide emergency

broadcast. In the speech, Kennedy informs the

American public of the recent surveillance of

Cuba and the presence of Soviet missiles on

the “imprisoned island.” Kennedy’s plan is

simple: a strict quarantine has already been

established around Cuba to stop any and all

cargo shipments heading towards it. Any

ship containing weapons will be turned back.

Any ship that breaches the quarantine line will

be neutralized. The United States military is

placed on high alert.

Oct. 25th, 1962

Fear grips the entire globe following Kennedy’s

announcement as people wait to see what will

happen if the Soviets challenge the blockade. Publicly the Soviets call the blockade an “act of aggression” and claim their ships will not be intimidated. The world wait as fourteen Soviet ships approach the blockade. Kennedy dispatches twenty-three nuclear-armed B-52 bombers prepared to strike the Soviet Union if the quarantine line is breached. At 5 pm, the fourteen Soviet ships reach the blockade and stop. The United States military stands on high alert, waiting and watching. The ships turn back eventually.

Oct. 25th, 1962

Oct. 26th, 1962

At 11:03 am, the State Department receives a letter from Russian Premier Nikita Khrushchev that offers a solution. Debate continues throughout the entire day over Khrushchev’s proposal.

Nov. 2nd, 1962

The crisis is over. The United States publicly agrees to never invade Cuba, while the Soviets agree to remove the missiles from the island. While not stated publicly, the United States also secretly agrees to remove the missiles from Turkey and Italy. The quarantine is kept in effect until all weapons are removed from Cuba, and the United States keeps surveillance of the island to verify the work is being done.

Nov. 2nd, 1962

Nov. 20th, 1962

On November 20 at 6:45 pm, the blockade is lifted. The U.S. upheld their secret agreement as well and removed missiles from Europe.