Video: October 20, 1962 (at 0:00)

(Saturday, October 20, 1962, day five of the Cuban missile crisis, part of the Cold War) — U.S. President John F. Kennedy, in Chicago campaigning for congressional candidates, decides to return to the White House as the crisis reaches a new urgency. After five hours of discussion with top advisors, a quarantine is decided upon.

To avoid public suspicion the president had consulted his physician and together they fabricate the diagnosis of a cold, allowing JFK to return to Washington without arousing panic.

Video: October 20, 1962 (at 7:32)

Video: October 20, 1962 (continued)

Video: October 20, 1962 (at 5:40)

Video: 'Thirteen Days' (Oct. 20, 1962 at 37:10)

Video: 'The Missiles Of October' (Oct. 20, 1962, 8:15 a.m. at 48:45)