For 13 harrowing days beginning October 16, 1962, the United States and Soviet Union were locked in a standoff over Soviet nuclear missile sites on Cuba. President Kennedy's negotiation with Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev would ultimately pull the world back from the brink of nuclear war. | American Experience | PBS

The Cuban Missile Crisis—among the most frightening events of the Cold War—kicked into high gear on October 22, 1962. In a dramatic 18-minute televised speech, President Kennedy shocked the nation by revealing “unmistakable evidence” of a nuclear missile threat. For the key moments, major players and a timeline of the 13-day standoff, visit https://www.history.com/articles/cuban-missile-crisis-timeline-jfk-khrushchev #HISTORY | HISTORY