Category Archives: 1960s

Kennedy advisers debate whether to bomb, invade and/or blockade Cuba 50 years ago today (1962)


Video: October 19, 1962 (at 8:08)

(Friday, October 19, 1962, day four of the Cuban missile crisis, part of the Cold War) — U.S. President John F. Kennedy met today with the Joint Chiefs of Staff to discuss the military options for responding to the missiles in Cuba. Continue reading Kennedy advisers debate whether to bomb, invade and/or blockade Cuba 50 years ago today (1962)

Gromyko lies to JFK about Soviet military actions in Cuba 50 years ago today (1962)


Video: October 18, 1962 (at 7:40)

(Thursday, October 18, 1962, 5:00 p.m. EDT, day three of the Cuban missile crisis, part of the Cold War) — Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko met with U.S. President John F. Kennedy today at the White House and assured him that Soviet military actions in Cuba were purely defensive. Continue reading Gromyko lies to JFK about Soviet military actions in Cuba 50 years ago today (1962)

American U-2 flights identify three Soviet SS-5 missile sites in Cuba 50 years ago today (1962)


Video: October 17, 1962 (at 6:55)

(Wednesday, October 17, 1962, day two of the Cuban missile crisis, part of the Cold War) — American U-2 flights identified the first of three Soviet SS-5 missile sites in Cuba today. Continue reading American U-2 flights identify three Soviet SS-5 missile sites in Cuba 50 years ago today (1962)

New York Yankees win 20th World Series title 50 years ago today (1962)


Video: '1962 World Series Game 7: Yankees @ Giants'

(Tuesday, October 16, 1962) — The New York Yankees won the 1962 World Series today, beating the San Francisco Giants 1-0 at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California, in the seventh and deciding game. Continue reading New York Yankees win 20th World Series title 50 years ago today (1962)

CIA confirms offensive missiles, launchers placed in Cuba 50 years ago today (1962)


Video: October 15, 1962 (at 0:10)

(Monday, October 15, 1962, during the Cold War) — The CIA’s National Photographic Interpretation Center (NPIC) today reviewed 928 images, taken the day before by the U-2 overflight, and identified offensive missiles and lanuchers had been placed in Cuba.

U.S. discovers Soviet SS-4 construction site in Cuba 50 years ago today (1962)


Video: October 14, 1962 (at 7:54)

(Sunday, October 14, 1962, during the Cold War) — A United States Air Force U-2 plane, piloted by Major Richard Heyser on a photoreconnaissance mission, captured photographic proof today of what turned out to be an SS-4 construction site at San Cristóbal, Pinar del Río Province, in western Cuba. Continue reading U.S. discovers Soviet SS-4 construction site in Cuba 50 years ago today (1962)

‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?’ opens on Broadway 50 years ago today (1962)


Video: '"Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" Original Broadway cast - Opening scene part 2' (at 7:54)

(Saturday, October 13, 1962) — Edward Albee’s searing four-character drama Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? opened at the Billy Rose Theater on Broadway with Arthur Hill as George, Uta Hagen as Martha, George Grizzard as Nick and Melinda Dillon as Honey.

The Beatles open for Little Richard in Liverpool 50 years ago today (1962)


Video: 'The Beatles meet Little Richard'

(Friday, October 12, 1962) — Little Richard played a gig tonight at The Tower Ballroom in New Brighton, Wallasey, England, with a then-unknown local band called The Beatles opening for him.

‘McHale’s Navy’ debuts on ABC 50 years ago this hour (1962)


Video: 'An Ensign for McHale' (Oct. 11, 1962)

(Thursday, October 11, 1962, 9:30 p.m. EDT)McHale’s Navy, a television situation comedy about the misadventures of a misfit PT Boat crew during World War II, debuted tonight on ABC. It starred Ernest Borgnine, Tim Conway, Joe Flynn, Gary Vinson and Carl Ballantine.

Chuck Hiller first National Leaguer to hit a World Series grand slam 50 years ago today (1962)


Video: 'Baseball First NL Grand Slam in World Series (History's Playlist)-Sports'

(Monday, October 8, 1962) — Chuck Hiller of the San Francisco Giants today became the first National Leaguer to hit a World Series grand slam with a shot against New York Yankees pitcher Marshall Bridges in game 4. The final score of the game was Giants 7, Yankees 3.